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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
An In Vitro Model for Studying Cellular Transformation by Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus
Published on: August 25, 2017
Stage-related PD-L1 expression in Kaposi sarcoma tumor microenvironment
Beatrice Joest1, Werner Kempf2,3, Arbeneshe Berisha2
1Department of Dermatology, HELIOS-Klinikum Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany.
Background:
The immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 represents an important target in oncological immune therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate PD-L1 expression and the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in Kaposi sarcoma.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical stains were performed for PD-L1, CD3, CD33, CD68, and CD168 in 24 Kaposi sarcoma samples. In PD-L1-positive cases, the double stains for PD-L1, CD31, podoplanin, and HHV8 were added.
Results:
PD-L1 was observed in 71% of the samples and was predominantly located in the TME. PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in nodular stage than in patch/plaque stage. The TME consisted of CD68+/CD163+ macrophages, CD33+ myloid-derived suppressor cells and monocytes and CD3+ T-cells. The TME showed a peritumoral distribution in nodular stage, in contrast to a diffuse distribution in patch/plaque stage. In 12 samples (50%), no plasma cells were found.
Conclusion:
In nodular stage of KS, the TME is pushed back in the periphery of the tumor nodules. The PD-L1-positive TME between the tumor cells might protect them from the immune attack. An anti-PD-L1 treatment might be promising in KS patients.
