Quantitative CT analysis for predicting the PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Oncology
• Cancer Imaging
• Immunotherapy Biomarkers

Background:

• Lung adenocarcinoma is a major cause of cancer mortality.
• Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is a key biomarker for immunotherapy in lung cancer.
• Quantitative CT analysis offers insights into tumor characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between quantitative CT features and PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.
• To determine if imaging characteristics can predict PD-L1 levels.

Main Methods:

• 116 lung adenocarcinoma patients underwent quantitative CT analysis and PD-L1 expression assessment.
• Tumors were categorized by CT findings (ground-glass, part-solid, solid).
• Statistical analyses, including ROC and regression, identified relationships between CT metrics and PD-L1 levels (TPS).

Main Results:

• Solid nodules were more prevalent in high PD-L1 expression groups (TPS ≥ 50%).
• Lower rates of solid component diameter and volume were observed in tumors with very low PD-L1 expression (TPS < 1%).
• The rate of solid component volume significantly influenced PD-L1 expression at both 50% and 1% thresholds.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative CT analysis, particularly the solid component rate, is associated with PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.
• These imaging findings may help predict PD-L1 status, potentially guiding immunotherapy decisions.