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Updated: May 13, 2026
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Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Exploring the Immune Microenvironment for Predicting Immunotherapy Efficacy in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric
Yunjoo Cho1, Sung Hee Lim2, Seung Tae Kim2
1Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics.
Summary
Predicting anti-PD1 therapy response in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is challenging. Detailed immune microenvironment analysis, not just PD-L1 scores, can identify patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is an immunogenic subtype.
- The effectiveness of anti-PD1 therapy and predictive biomarkers for EBVaGC are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of anti-PD1 agents in EBVaGC.
- To identify reliable predictive biomarkers for anti-PD1 therapy response in EBVaGC patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 metastatic EBVaGC patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy.
- Assessment of histologic subtypes, PD-L1 expression (conventional IHC), and immune microenvironment (multiplex IHC).
- Correlation of findings with treatment response.
Main Results:
- Treatment response significantly varied by histologic immune classification (P=0.027).
- Carcinomas with Crohn disease-like reactions showed a 71.4% response rate, unlike conventional adenocarcinomas (0%).
- Higher immune cell infiltration (PD-L1+, CD8+/PD-L1+, CD4+, CD4+/FOXP3+) and tumor cell PD-L1 expression (CK+/PD-L1+) were observed in responders.
Conclusions:
- The tumor immune microenvironment significantly influences anti-PD1 therapy response in EBVaGC.
- Detailed immune profiling, beyond PD-L1 scores, may improve patient selection for immunotherapy in EBVaGC.