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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
Multiplexed Immunofluorescence Analysis and Quantification of Intratumoral PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T Cells
Published on: February 8, 2018
PD-1 inhibitors for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis
Nader Aboul-Fettouh1, Leon Chen2,3, Junsheng Ma4
1Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
PD-1 inhibitors are immunotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). This study aimed to determine the pooled objective response and disease control rates of patients with advanced cSCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Pubmed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases were searched up to 1 January 2021 to include eligible articles. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were pooled and analysed. Subgroup analysis of the odds ratio (OR) for ORR for patients by PD-L1 tumour proportion score (TPS) was performed. Seven articles including a total of 453 patients were identified and included. Pooled estimate of ORR was 44% (95% CI: 39-49%, I2 = 23.7%) and of DCR was 66% (95% CI: 57-74%, I2 = 68.2%). Pooled odds ratio of ORR for patients by PD-L1 TPS was 2.81 (95% CI: 1.22-6.51, I2 = 0.0%). These results were derived from single-arm studies, some of which were retrospective. No head-to-head trials comparing PD-1 inhibitors have been reported. We present aggregate estimates of ORR and DCR for patients with advanced cSCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors, as well as subgroup analysis for ORR for patients by PD-L1 TPS.
Insights
PD-1 inhibitors show a 44% objective response rate and 66% disease control rate in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Higher PD-L1 expression correlated with improved response rates in this meta-analysis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Dermatology
Background:
- Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) presents a significant treatment challenge.
- Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors represent a key immunotherapeutic strategy for advanced cSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the pooled objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) for patients with advanced cSCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.
- To analyze the association between PD-1 inhibitor efficacy and PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) in advanced cSCC.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases up to January 1, 2021.
- Meta-analysis techniques were employed to pool ORR and DCR from eligible single-arm studies.
- Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) for ORR based on PD-L1 TPS.
Main Results:
- Seven studies comprising 453 patients with advanced cSCC were included.
- The pooled ORR was 44% (95% CI: 39-49%) and the pooled DCR was 66% (95% CI: 57-74%).
- A pooled OR of 2.81 (95% CI: 1.22-6.51) indicated a significantly higher ORR in patients with higher PD-L1 TPS.
Conclusions:
- PD-1 inhibitors demonstrate considerable efficacy in treating advanced cSCC, with substantial pooled ORR and DCR.
- PD-L1 TPS is a potential predictive biomarker for response to PD-1 inhibitors in advanced cSCC.
- Further research, including head-to-head trials, is warranted to optimize PD-1 inhibitor therapy for advanced cSCC.
