Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed in a significant number of the uterine cervical carcinomas
Opal L Reddy1, Peter I Shintaku1, Neda A Moatamed2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.
Background:
The programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune regulatory axis has emerged as a promising new target for cancer therapeutics, with lasting responses seen in the treatment of metastatic renal and lung carcinomas, as well as melanomas. As tumor surface expression of PD-L1 has been found to correlate with objective responses to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapies, we investigated the expression of PD-L1 in human cervical tumors and provide an adopted scoring system for the systematic evaluation of PD-L1 staining.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 expression was performed on a tissue microarray of 101 normal and neoplastic cervical tissues. Neoplastic cores were divided into three groups: squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and endocervical adenocarcinoma. PD-L1 expression was scored based on an adopted scoring system accounting to percentage and intensity of positivity, and results provided alongside available clinical and demographic data.
Results:
Overall, PD-L1 was positive in 32 of 93 (34.4%) cervical carcinomas. Subcategorically, PD-L1 was positive in 28 of 74 (37.8%) squamous cell carcinomas, two of seven (28.6%) adenosquamous carcinomas, and two of 12 (16.7%) endocervical adenocarcinomas. It was negative in six benign cervical tissues.
Conclusions:
This study shows a significant expression of PD-L1 in 34.4% of cervical carcinomas and no expression of PD-L1 in benign cervical tissues. These findings suggest a role for further investigation of anti-PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapies in the treatment of PD-L1-positive cervical tumors. In addition, our adopted scoring system will facilitate more systematic correlations between tumor reactivity and response to treatment.
Insights
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed in 34.4% of cervical cancers, offering a potential therapeutic target. This study evaluated PD-L1 expression in cervical tumors, finding no expression in benign tissues, suggesting immunotherapy potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- The programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis is a key immune regulatory pathway and a target for cancer immunotherapy.
- PD-L1 expression on tumors correlates with response to anti-PD-L1 therapies in various cancers.
- Cervical cancer treatment can benefit from understanding PD-L1 expression patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PD-L1 expression in human cervical tumors.
- To establish a scoring system for systematic PD-L1 evaluation in cervical cancer.
- To explore the potential of PD-L1 targeted immunotherapies for cervical cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 was performed on 101 normal and neoplastic cervical tissues.
- Cervical carcinoma subtypes (squamous cell, adenosquamous, endocervical adenocarcinoma) were analyzed.
- A scoring system assessing PD-L1 percentage and intensity was adopted.
Main Results:
- PD-L1 was expressed in 34.4% (32/93) of cervical carcinomas.
- PD-L1 positivity rates were 37.8% in squamous cell carcinomas, 28.6% in adenosquamous carcinomas, and 16.7% in endocervical adenocarcinomas.
- PD-L1 expression was not detected in benign cervical tissues.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of cervical carcinomas exhibit PD-L1 expression, suggesting potential for immunotherapy.
- The absence of PD-L1 in benign tissues supports its role as a tumor-specific target.
- The developed scoring system aids in correlating PD-L1 expression with treatment outcomes in cervical cancer.
