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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Magnitude of PD-1, PD-L1 and T Lymphocyte Expression on Tissue from Castration-Resistant Prostate Adenocarcinoma: An
Francesco Massari1, Chiara Ciccarese1, Anna Caliò2
1Medical Oncology, University and Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy.
Background And Aim:
Recent therapeutic strategies for castration-resistant prostate cancer have focused on immunomodulation, especially the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway related to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Few cases of castration-resistant prostate adenocarcinoma have been tested simultaneously for PD-1, PD-L1 and T lymphocytes in cancerous tissue. We quantified the PD-1/PD-L1 immune pathway and T lymphocyte infiltrates in a series of patients with castrate-resistant prostate adenocarcinoma.
Patients And Methods:
Expression of PD-1, PD-L1, CD3 and FOXP3 was identified in tissue microarrays, with five tissue spots per patient from 16 patients over at least 5 years of follow-up. Two scores were defined. The first described the percentage of PD-1-positive T lymphocytes (CD3+): negative (0), <5 %; low (1+), 5-30 %; high (2+), >30 %. The second described PD-L1 staining intensity: 0 (no signal), 1+ (light signal), 2+ (high signal) in >50 % of neoplastic cells.
Results:
Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (CD3+) were seen in 11/16 cases (69 %). Nine of 16 cases expressed PD-1 (56 %), among which 19 % were scored 2+. Eight of 16 cases expressed PD-L1 (50 %), with 19 % scored as strong 2+. The subgroup with high PD1/PD-L1 also exhibited FOXP3 expression.
Conclusions:
Approximately 19 % of patients in our series showed simultaneous high PD-1/PD-L1 immunoscores, and were the best candidates for receiving targeted anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, as determined using a tissue based rationale.
Insights
This study quantifies the PD-1/PD-L1 immune pathway and T lymphocyte infiltrates in castration-resistant prostate adenocarcinoma. Approximately 19% of patients showed high PD-1/PD-L1 expression, indicating suitability for targeted immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treatment increasingly focuses on immunomodulation.
- The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are key targets in CRPC.
- Simultaneous assessment of PD-1, PD-L1, and T lymphocytes in CRPC tissue is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the PD-1/PD-L1 immune pathway in CRPC.
- To assess T lymphocyte infiltrates in CRPC tissue.
- To identify potential candidates for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Tissue microarrays from 16 CRPC patients with >5 years follow-up were analyzed.
- Expression of PD-1, PD-L1, CD3 (T lymphocytes), and FOXP3 was quantified.
- Scoring systems for PD-1 positive T lymphocytes and PD-L1 staining intensity were defined.
Main Results:
- Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (CD3+) were present in 69% of cases.
- PD-1 expression was observed in 56% of cases, with 19% showing high expression (2+).
- PD-L1 expression was found in 50% of cases, with 19% showing strong expression (2+).
- High PD-1/PD-L1 expression correlated with FOXP3 presence.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 19% of CRPC patients exhibited high simultaneous PD-1/PD-L1 immunoscores.
- These patients are optimal candidates for targeted anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
- A tissue-based rationale supports the selection of patients for immunotherapy.
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