Immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in colorectal carcinoma among black patients and the clinicopathological correlates: a cross-sectional study

Felix Emeka Menkiti ^1,2, Chukwudi Onyeaghana Okani ³, Igwebuike Victor Onyiaorah ^4,5

¹Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. fe.menkiti@unizik.edu.ng.
²Department of Histopathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. fe.menkiti@unizik.edu.ng.
³Department of Histopathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Histopathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
⁶Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
⁷Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
⁸Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
⁹Department of Surgery, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

⁰Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. fe.menkiti@unizik.edu.ng.

Bmc Gastroenterology +

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April 20, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) in Nigeria shows high PD-L1 expression, particularly in advanced stages. This finding supports the potential efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in Black patients, warranting further investigation.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Immunotherapy
Cancer Research

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in Nigeria, with most cases diagnosed at advanced stages.
Existing PD-L1 antibody therapy data primarily comes from Caucasian populations, creating a knowledge gap for African populations.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in Nigerian CRC patients.
To correlate PD-L1 expression with clinicopathologic parameters in this population.

Main Methods

Immunohistochemical evaluation of PD-L1 expression in 96 CRC tissue samples.
Statistical analysis using chi-square and Spearman's rank correlation to assess relationships between PD-L1 and clinicopathologic factors.

Main Results

PD-L1 expression was found in 86.46% of CRC cases.
Significant correlations were observed between PD-L1 expression and tumor size, histologic grade, and tumor stage.
The majority of patients (57.3%) were diagnosed at advanced stages.

Conclusions

High frequency of PD-L1 expression in Nigerian CRC patients suggests potential benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 targeted therapies.
Significant associations with clinicopathologic parameters highlight the importance of this biomarker in the studied population.
Emphasizes the need for improved early detection and screening strategies for CRC in Nigeria.

Keywords:

PD-L1 expression Colorectal cancer Immunohistochemistry Immunotherapy Pathologic parameters