Correlation between PD-1 and sPD-L1 expression levels in peripheral blood of DLBCL patients and their clinicopathological characteristics

Liang Wang ¹, Congcong Cao ², Juan Qiu ³

¹Department of Hematology, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying 257097, China. cjdtc477787047@163.com.
²Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Pingyi County, Linyi 273300, China. ckccc4050501@163.com.
³Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. 13256126690@163.com.
⁴Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. jianingzhang0329@163.com.
⁵Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. hqilyvm@163.com.
⁶Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. slh9999@vip.163.com.
⁷Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. xielinnadoctor@hotmail.com.
⁸Department of Hematology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China. phd_jima@163.com.

⁰Department of Hematology, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying 257097, China. cjdtc477787047@163.com.

Cellular and Molecular Biology +

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March 2, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) levels in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients correlate with advanced disease and specific subtypes. Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis may improve outcomes for certain DLBCL patient groups.

Area Of Science

Immunology
Oncology
Molecular Pathology

Background

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treatment and prognosis depend on molecular pathology and clinical features.
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) are key regulators of immune checkpoints in cancer.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the correlation between PD-1 and soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) levels in the peripheral blood of DLBCL patients.
To analyze the association of these markers with clinicopathological characteristics.
To identify patient subgroups who may benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy.

Main Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 36 DLBCL patients were analyzed before treatment.
PD-1 expression was measured by flow cytometry.
sPD-L1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Clinicopathological data including Ann Arbor stage and Hans's classification subtype were recorded.

Main Results

PD-1 expression on peripheral blood T cells was significantly higher in DLBCL patients than in healthy controls.
Elevated PD-1 levels correlated with advanced Ann Arbor stage and the B group.
Higher sPD-L1 levels were associated with the Germinal Center B-cell (GCB) subtype.

Conclusions

PD-1 and sPD-L1 expression in DLBCL patients are linked to advanced disease stage, the B group, and the GCB subtype.
The PD-1/PD-L1 axis plays a significant role in specific DLBCL subgroups.
Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis presents a potential therapeutic strategy to improve clinical outcomes in DLBCL.