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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Immunohistochemical Staining of B7-H1 PD-L1 on Paraffin-embedded Slides of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Tissue
Published on: January 3, 2013
B7-H3 expression is associated with high PD-L1 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and predicts poor
Jung Hee Lee1, Yong Jun Kim2, Hyun Woo Ryu2
1Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.
Background:
Clear cell Renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an immunogenic tumor. B7 family members, such as CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1, are the main components of immune checkpoints that regulate various immune responses. Specifically, B7-H3 regulates T cell-mediated immune responses against cancer. This study aimed to analyze the association between B7-H3 and CTLA-4 expression and the prognostic factors of ccRCC to provide a basis for their potential use as predictive factors and in immunotherapy.
Methods:
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens were obtained from 244 ccRCC patients, and B7-H3, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 expressions were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining.
Results:
B7-H3 and CTLA-4 were positive in 73 (29.9%) and 57 (23.4%) of the 244 patients, respectively. B7-H3 expression was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression (P < 0.0001); however, CTLA-4 expression was not (P = 0.842). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that positive B7-H3 expression was associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.0001), whereas CTLA-4 expression was not (P = 0.457). Multivariate analysis revealed that B7-H3 was correlated with poor PFS (P = 0.031), whereas CTLA-4 was not (P = 0.173).
Conclusions:
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate B7-H3 and PD-L1 expression and survival in ccRCC. B7-H3 expression is an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC. Furthermore, multiple immune cell inhibitory targets, such as B7-H3 and PD-L1, can be used for therapeutic tumor regression in a clinical setting.
Insights
B7-H3 expression is a significant prognostic factor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), correlating with poorer progression-free survival. This finding suggests B7-H3, alongside PD-L1, may serve as a therapeutic target for ccRCC immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an immunogenic malignancy.
- Immune checkpoints, including B7 family members like B7-H3, CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1, regulate anti-tumor immune responses.
- B7-H3 plays a role in T cell-mediated immunity against cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between B7-H3 and CTLA-4 expression and prognostic factors in ccRCC.
- To evaluate the potential of B7-H3 and CTLA-4 as predictive biomarkers for ccRCC.
- To explore their relevance in the context of cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 244 ccRCC patient specimens.
- Expression levels of B7-H3, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 were assessed.
- Statistical analyses, including Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses, were conducted to evaluate survival outcomes.
Main Results:
- B7-H3 expression was detected in 29.9% of patients, and CTLA-4 in 23.4%.
- Positive B7-H3 expression was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression and poorer progression-free survival (PFS).
- CTLA-4 expression showed no significant association with PD-L1 expression or PFS.
Conclusions:
- B7-H3 expression is an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC, indicating poorer PFS.
- This study is the first to link B7-H3 and PD-L1 expression with survival in ccRCC.
- Targeting multiple immune inhibitory molecules, such as B7-H3 and PD-L1, may enhance therapeutic tumor regression in ccRCC.
