Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on gastric cancer and its relationship with clinicopathologic factors

Background: Targeting the immune checkpoints in solid tumors becomes hot recently. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is ligand for programmed death 1 (PD-1), which is known to negatively regulate T-cell activation. In the present study, we investigated the expression of PD-L1 in tumor specimens of gastric cancer and its relationships with clinicopathological variables and survival. Methods: The expression of PD-L1 in 132 surgically resected specimens of stage II and III gastric cancer was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in microarray tissue. Results: Expression of PD-L1 was observed in 50.8% (67/132) of gastric cancer tumor specimens. Patients whose tumor size over 5cm had a higher positive rate of PD-L1 expression. There was no relationship between the expression of PD-L1 and other clinicopathological variables including age, gender, clinical stage, location as well as histological differentiation. PD-L1 positive patients had significantly poorer survival than negative patients. The 5-year survival rates was 83.1% in those with PD-L1 negative patients and 50.7% for PD-L1 positive patients (P<0.001). The multivariate analysis indicated that both PD-L1 positive and Tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent prognostic factors in gastric cancer patients (P=0.001 and 0.025, respectively). Conclusions: The expression of PD-L1 was found in half of stages II and III gastric cancer patients. Positive of PD-L1 expression indicated poor survival in Chinese stages II and III gastric adenocarcinoma patients. These results may provide the clue for immunotherapy in the adjuvant treatment setting of gastric cancer patients.     

Clinicopathological significance of PD-L1 expression in colorectal cancer: Impact of PD-L1 expression on pFOXO1 expression

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of PD-L1 expression and its impact on phospho-Forkhead box O 1 (pFOXO1) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsImmunohistochemical analysis for PD-L1 and pFOXO1 was performed on 265 human CRC tissues. PD-L1 expression was evaluated in the tumor and immune cells. The impact of PD-L1 expression on survival was investigated in relation to the pattern of pFOXO1 expression.ResultsPD-L1 was expressed in 25 (9.4%) and 41 (17.7%) patients in the tumor and immune cells of the 265 CRC tissues, respectively. PD-L1 expression in immune cells (I-PD-L1) was significantly correlated with less lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis and lower pT and pTNM stages. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (T-PD-L1) and tumor location (right colon), but not the other clinicopathological characteristics. pFOXO1 expression was significantly lower in CRC with high I-PD-L1 expression than in CRC with low or negative I-PD-L1 expression. However, there was no significant correlation between pFOXO1 and T-PD-L1 expression in CRC. Patients with positive pFOXO1 and low or negative I-PD-L1 expression exhibited the worst survival among patients with CRC.ConclusionCollectively, our results indicate that I-PD-L1 expression was significantly correlated with favorable tumor behaviors and better survival. In addition, patients with high I-PD-L1 and low pFOXO1 expressions had a favorable prognosis than those with other I-PD-L1 and pFOXO1 expression patterns.     

PD-L1 expression in vulvar cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer may predict clinical response to immunotherapeutic treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Within the vulvar cancer field, PD-L1 expression has only been assessed by a few studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of PD-L1 positivity in vulvar cancer. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for articles reporting on PD-L1 expression in vulvar cancer. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two authors. We extracted data on PD-L1 prevalence in vulvar cancer according to combined positive score (CPS) and tumour proportion score (TPS). Cutoff values for positivity were ≥1 or ≥10 for CPS and ≥1% and ≥5% for TPS. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled PD-L1 prevalence, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Tests of between-study heterogeneity were evaluated by the I² statistics. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. In total, 19 studies were included. Pooled PD-L1 prevalence in vulvar cancer was 83.4% (95% CI: 70.8–91.3; I² = 80.0) and 53.9% (95% CI: 37.4–69.6; I² = 93.0) according to CPS and TPS, respectively. Based on TPS, human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) showed a lower PD-L1 prevalence (39.9%; 95% CI: 13.3–74.2) compared with HPV-independent SCC (62.6%; 95% CI: 33.7–84.6), but meta-regression showed no significant variation in PD-L1 prevalence by HPV status. PD-L1 prevalence was similar in advanced (44.9%; 95% CI: 29.8–61.1) and localized vulvar cancer (56.7%; 95% CI: 18.9–76.7). In conclusion, PD-L1 expression in vulvar cancer is frequent but between-study heterogeneity was high. Based on a subgroup of heterogenous studies, we found no strong variation in PD-L1 prevalence according to HPV status and stage.     

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is characterized by high PD-L1 expression,but low tumor mutation burden

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is a rare subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are few reported studies on the relationship between programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and genomics features of this distinct NSCLC subtype. Our study aimed to investigate the expression levels of PD-L1 to determine their clinical value and to identify genetic alterations in PLELC. Fifty-nine PLELC patients, whose clinical information and pathology results were available, were included in this study. Immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 was performed in all cases. Specimens of 37 PLELCs and 3 metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) of the lung, resected within the previous 3 years, were chosen for mutation analysis, using next-generation sequencing of 425 genes. PLELC patients in the present study were mainly non-smoking females, with a high frequency of PD-L1 positivity in their tumors. Positivity rates were 96.6 %, 91.5 %, 83.1 %, and 61.0 % at tumor proportion scores (TPSs)≥ 1%, 5%, 10 %, and 50 %, respectively. Moreover, we observed that PD-L1 expression was higher in specimens stored for ≤ 3 years and in tumor cells with vesicular nucleus morphology at a TPS ≥ 50 %. Mutation analysis suggested a relatively high frequency of TP53 mutations and MCL1 copy number variation, but low tumor mutation burden (TMB) (ranging from 0 to 6.9, median of 1.1 mutation per megabase) and similarity of gene alteration with NPCs. However, no specific germline mutation was detected in PLELC patients. Additionally, survival analysis showed that patients in the early stages (stage I and II) had higher progression-free survival rates (P = 0.035) and those with tumors containing obvious stroma fibrosis tended to have worse prognosis (P = 0.008). However only stage was shown to be the independent prognostic factor (P = 0.008, HR=4.807, 95 %CI:1.508−15.323).PLELC is a subtype of lung cancer with distinct clinicopathological and genetic features, especially characterized by high PD-L1 expression and low TMB.     

Gastrointestinal tract metastasis of lung cancer: The PD-L1 expression and correlated clinicopathological variables

The gastrointestinal tract is a rare site for metastatic lung cancer. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung cancer is a biomarker for the response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. We investigated clinicopathological features and PD-L1 expression in 25 gastrointestinal metastatic tumors from the lung and primary adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. The small bowel was the most common site (16/25; 64%) of gastrointestinal tract lung cancer metastasis. A total of 19 (76%) of the gastrointestinal metastasis showed PD-L1 expression in ≥5% of tumor cells, with 14 (56%) showing high expression levels (≥50%). In contrast, 21 (84%) expressed PD-L1 in ≥5% immune cells, including 4 (16%) showing a high expression levels (≥50%). The PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and immune cells in primary lung cancer and corresponding gastrointestinal metastasis was concordant in 13 (68%) and 11 (58%) of the 19 paired cases, respectively. Small-bowel metastasis of lung cancer was characterized by a higher incidence of perforation (31% vs. 0%), ulcerated mass (83% vs. 60%), and neoplastic PD-L1 expression (75% vs. 0%) compared to primary small-bowel adenocarcinoma. Gastrointestinal metastasis from lung cancer might be a potential target for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, given its high expression of PD-L1.     

PD-1/PD-L1在非小细胞肺癌中的研究进展及展望

PD-1(programmed cell death-1,程序性死亡受体1)与其配体PD-L1(programmed cell death-ligand 1,程序性死亡配体1)属于CD28/B7家族,是一对共刺激分子,具有负性调控作用。PD-1通过与其配体PD-L1结合调节肿瘤的微环境,使肿瘤细胞免于机体免疫系统的监视和清除。目前已有较多研究显示PD-1/PD-L1在非小细胞肺癌组织中的表达水平与患者的临床病理因素及预后存在显著的相关性。在非小细胞肺癌的治疗领域,以PD-1/PD-L1为代表的免疫治疗成为继手术治疗、化疗、放疗、分子靶向治疗之后的新焦点。PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂在一系列非小细胞肺癌临床试验中也显示出了巨大的临床潜力。本文就PD-1/PD-L1的生物学结构及其在非小细胞肺癌中的作用机制、研究进展及展望作一综述。     

PD-L1 correlated gene expression profiles and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer

Objective: To study the expression and clinical value of PD-L1 gene in pancreatic cancer, and to predict the role of PD-L1 gene in the development of pancreatic cancer.Methods: The pancreatic cancer datasets were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Oncomine to obtain the PD-L1 gene expression profile and clinical information. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the correlation between the expression level of PD-L1 gene in pancreatic cancer and clinicopathological indicators, as well as its influence on prognosis. GSEA and WGCNA analysis was performed to predict the possible pathways of PD-L1 gene regulation in pancreatic cancer. TIMER and MCP-counter were used for PD-L1 with immune infiltration. The genes interact with PD-L1 were also investigated by STING and immunoco-precipitation combined with mass spectrometry analysis (IP-MS).Results: In TCGA database, the overall survival of patients with high expression of PD-L1 gene was significantly lower than that of patients with low expression of PD-L1 gene (χ² = 12.52, P < 0.001). The samples with high expression of PD-L1 gene showed enrichment of 8 pathways including toll-like receptor signaling pathway and NOD receptor signaling pathway (P < 0.01, FDR < 0.05). Immune infiltration analysis suggested that PD-L1 were associated with monocytic lineage (r = 0.5). The proteins interacting with PD-L1 are mainly concentrated in RNA binding, ribosome, spliceosome and other biological processes or pathways.Conclusion: PD-L1 gene may play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer and is expected to be a prognostic indicator of pancreatic cancer.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression status in lung cancer correlates with its mutation

The molecular mechanisms for frequent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, a tyrosine kinase [TK]) and HER2 (the preferred coreceptor of EGFR) overexpression in lung cancer are poorly understood. Recent studies have shown the mutations of the TK domain in EGFR and HER2 to be present in lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mutation status and expression of EGFR and HER2 in lung cancer. Immunostaining took place for EGFR and HER2, and mutational analyses for EGFR, HER2, and KRAS (a signaling protein) were conducted using 130 resected lung cancer specimens. Thirty-seven EGFR mutations (28%) and 8 HER2 mutations (6%), both of the TK domains, and 5 KRAS (4%) mutations were found, whereas 73 (56%) EGFR and 47 (36%) HER2 overexpressions were found. EGFR overexpression was seen more frequently in tumors with EGFR mutation (28/37, 76%) than in tumors without EGFR mutations (45/93, 48%; P = .0059). No correlation was found between HER2 mutation and HER2 expression. Multivariate regression revealed that EGFR mutation, adenocarcinoma histology, and HER2 expression were associated with EGFR expression, whereas female sex, EGFR mutation, and EGFR expression were associated with HER2 expression. In conclusion, EGFR and HER2 overexpression is frequent in lung cancer, and EGFR overexpression correlates with the EGFR TK domain mutations.     

PD-L1 expression in pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma: PD-L1 expression is limited to the squamous component

Aim

We examined the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in surgically resected pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) samples. Furthermore, the detection rate was also assessed using biopsy cases obtained from endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Concordance of next generation sequence-based and sequence specific oligonucleotide probe-based HLA-DRB1 genotyping

Next generation sequencing (NGS) of clonally amplified DNA, using Roche 454 technology, was used to genotype HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 loci (exon 2 only) from a set of 993 samples from newborns with maternally-reported African American ancestry. DRB1 exon 2 was genotyped previously on the same sample set using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) technology. Comparison of the genotype calls from both methods indicated concordance of 92.3%. Some discordance was expected due to the higher resolution of NGS data, compared to SSOP data. This resulted from selection of the incorrect allele from the ambiguity string produced by SSOP genotyping. Of 76 discordant genotypes, only three were due to resolution of ambiguity with the NGS method. The low percent of changes due to the increased resolution of the NGS method instills confidence in the overall value of previous data genotyped with moderate resolution methods, i.e., the vast majority of alleles present in a population are those that are detectable at moderate resolution. The remaining 73 discordant genotypes resulted from preventable errors in sample handling, data interpretation, and data entry. These results underscore the potential for error that can result from factors such as low quality genomic DNA, manual data entry, and interpretation of marginal genotyping results. Optimization of genomic DNA quality, automation of genotyping steps wherever possible, and use of the highest resolution technology available can lead to dramatic improvements in HLA genotype data quality. NGS-based methodology generated data of superior quality and accuracy compared to the SSOP system.     

子宫内膜透明细胞癌分子分型临床应用及其与PD-L1表达的关系

目的 探讨子宫内膜透明细胞癌(endometrial clear cell carcinoma,ECCC)分子分型的临床应用及其与PD-L1表达的关系.方法 应用测序法检测15例ECCC根治手术标本中POLE突变情况,有突变者为POLE突变型;应用免疫组化法检测错配修复(mismatch repair,MMR)MLH1...     

肺癌中PD-L1表达和调节性T细胞浸润的关系及意义

目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)中程序性死亡受体配体1(programmed death receptor ligand 1, PD-L1)表达和调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell, Treg)浸润的关系及临床意义。方法采用免疫组化法检测78例NSCLC组织中PD-L1表达和Treg浸润情况,分析二者之间的相关性及与NSCLC临床病理特征的关系。结果肺癌组织中PD-L1的表达显著高于癌旁组织(52．5% vs 6．4%),肺癌组织中 Treg浸润亦明显高于癌旁组织[(18．63±16．67)个/HPF vs (2．96±2．97)个/HPF]。晚期肺癌组织中PD-L1的表达高于早期肺癌组织(70．0% vs 41．7%),晚期肺癌组织中Treg浸润亦明显高于早期肺癌组织(73．3% vs 35．4%),有淋巴结转移组中PD-L1表达和Treg浸润均明显高于无淋巴结转移组,PD-L1表达和Treg浸润程度与淋巴结转移及临床分期相关(P<0．05)。肺癌组织中PD-L1表达和Foxp3+Treg的浸润密度呈正相关(rs =0．611,F=78．82,P=0．023)。结论肺癌微环境中PD-L1表达和Treg浸润呈正相关,二者可能共同参与肺癌的进展和免疫逃逸。     

Clinical error rates of next generation sequencing and array comparative genomic hybridization with single thawed euploid embryo transfer

We investigated clinical error rates with single thawed euploid embryo transfer (STEET) diagnosed by next generation sequencing (NGS) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). A total of 1997 STEET cycles after IVF with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) from 2010 to 2017 were identified; 1151 STEET cycles utilized NGS, and 846 STEET cycles utilized aCGH. Any abortions, spontaneous or elective, in which products of conception (POCs) were collected were reviewed. Discrepancies between chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, or live birth results and PGT-A diagnosis were also included. Primary outcomes were clinical error rate per: ET, pregnancy with gestational sac, live birth, and spontaneous abortion with POCs available for analysis. Secondary outcomes included implantation rate (IR), spontaneous abortion rate (SABR), and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate (OPR/LBR). The clinical error rates in the NGS cohort were: 0.7% per embryo, 1% per pregnancy with gestational sac, and 0.1% rate per OP/LB. The error rate per SAB with POCs was 13.3%. The IR was 69.1%, the OPR/LBR was 61.6%, and the spontaneous abortion rate was 10.2%. The clinical error rates in the aCGH cohort were: 1.3% per embryo, 2% per pregnancy with gestational sac, and 0.4% rate per OP/LB. The error rate per SAB with POCs was 23.3%. The IR was 63.8%, the OPR/LBR was 54.6%, and the SAB rate was 12.4%. Our findings demonstrate that, although NGS and aCGH are sensitive platforms for PGT-A, errors still occur. Appropriate patient counseling and routine prenatal screening are recommended for all patients undergoing IVF/PGT-A.     

Molecular regulatory network of PD-1/PD-L1 in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite effective chemotherapy and molecular-based therapies, the median and overall survival remains poor. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by inhibiting negative T cell regulators, including programmed death 1 (PD-1, CD279) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1, also known as B-H1, CD274) inhibitors. Nonetheless, most patients do not respond to these inhibitors. Recently, PD-L1 expression has been demonstrated to influence the anti-tumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the mechanisms of PD-L1 regulation are not clearly understood. This review thus aims to summarize the current knowledge and recent developments in the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression levels and attempts to clarify its latent function in anti-tumor activity, with the goal of guiding better designs for future NSCLC immunotherapies.     

Targeted next generation sequencing reveals a common genetic pathway for colorectal cancers with chromosomal instability and those with microsatellite and chromosome stability

IntroductionMicrosatellite stable sporadic colorectal cancers (CRCs) can be classified as either tumours with chromosomal instability (CIN+) or tumours that are ‘Microsatellite and Chromosomal Stable’ (MACS). The CIN + tumours are aneuploid whilst MACS are near-diploid; little else is known about their differences. We compared the mutation profiles of CIN + and MACS CRCs.MethodTargeted Next Generation Sequencing for mutation in 26 driver genes (TruSight-26 kit) was undertaken in 46 CIN + and 35 MACSCRCs. Tumours were compared for mutation frequency, allelic imbalance and clonal heterogeneity.ResultsMutations were detected in 58% genes and, overall, mutation in driver genes was at expected frequencies. Comparison of classes revealed similar mutation frequencies in most genes and allelic imbalance atAPC and TP53. Differences were seen in mutation frequency in KRAS (41% CIN+ vs 68% MACS, p = 0.015) and GNAS (0% CIN+ vs 12% MACS, p = 0.032). Twenty percent CIN + CRCs harboured mutations only in TP53 - a profile not seen in the MACS tumours (p = 0.009). None of the differences were significant after multiple testing corrections.ConclusionsThe mutation profiles of CIN and MACS CRCs are similar. The events allowing aneuploidy (or forcing retention of diploidy) remain unknown.     

Acute encephalopathy in an immunocompromised boy with astrovirus-MLB1 infection detected by next generation sequencing

We report a case of an immunodeficient 4-year-old boy with acute encephalopathy possibly related to human astrovirus-MLB1 infection. The astrovirus-MLB1 genome was identified in his stool, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and throat swabs by next generation sequencing. We present additional evidence showing human astroviruses are important infectious agents, regardless of their clades, involving the central nervous system in immunocompromised hosts.     

人胎盘源与人骨髓源间充质干细胞的生物学特性的比较及负性协同刺激分子PD-L1的表达

目的:比较人胎盘源间充质干细胞(PMSCs)与人骨髓源间充质干细胞(BMSCs)的生物学特性,研究负性协同刺激分子PD-L1在胎盘源MSCs的表达和生物学意义.方法:采取酶消化法分离人胎盘组织,用密度梯度离心法分离骨髓单个核细胞,分别进行贴壁分离和传代培养,通过倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态,并用免疫荧光标记和流式细胞仪检测细胞表面标志的表达做比较性分析.混合淋巴细胞反应,3H-TdR掺入和PD-L1单克隆抗体阻断实验进行免疫功能检测.结果:在贴壁生长、呈成纤维细胞样形态、表达CD29、CD105、CD166和不表达CD34、CD45、CD80、CD86及HLA-DR分子以及向成脂肪细胞方向诱导分化等方面,人PMSCs与BMSCs细胞生物学特性表现相同或相似.表型分析发现PMSCs高表达PD-L1,而BMSCs较低表达PD-L1.PMSCs表达的PD-L1具有对T细胞体外增殖的抑制作用.结论:人胎盘源MSCs与人骨髓源MSCs有相似的细胞生长特性,却有不同的表达负性协同分子PD-L1的特性.     

Application of next generation sequencing for the detection of human viral pathogens in clinical specimens

BackgroundNext generation sequencing (NGS) is a new technology that can be used for broad detection of infectious pathogens and is rapidly becoming an essential platform in clinical laboratories. It is not known how NGS will displace or enhance gold standard methodologies in infectious disease diagnosis.ObjectivesTo investigate the feasibility and application of NGS technology in public health laboratories and compare NGS technology with conventional methods.Study designIllumina MiSeq system was used to detect viral pathogens alongside other conventional virology methods using typical clinical specimen matrices. Sixteen clinical specimens and two CDC proficiency panels containing seventeen specimens were analyzed.ResultsKnown pathogenic viral nucleic acid was positively identified in all clinical specimens, correlating and building upon results obtained by more conventional laboratory methods. Sequencing depths ranged from 0.008X to 319 and genome coverage ranged from 0.6% to 99.9%. To substantiate the described methods used to analyze data derived from clinical specimens, the results of a clinical proficiency panel are also presented.DiscussionOur results reveal true scarcity of known pathogenic viral nucleic acids in clinical specimens. NGS outperforms more conventional detection methods in this study by turnaround time as well as the improved depth of knowledge in regards to serotyping and drug resistance.     

PD-L1和PD-L2在树突状细胞上的表达及其生物学意义

探讨小鼠髓系DC (CD8α )中PD L1和PD L2的表达及其在T淋巴细胞活化中的作用。采用mCD4 0L CHO和TNF α分别刺激凋亡肿瘤细胞负载DC 4 8h ;免疫荧光标记检测DC表型 ;RT PCR和realtime PCR检测PD L1和PD L2mRNA转录水平 ;ELISA测定IL 2的分泌水平 ;3 H TdR掺入试验和51Cr释放试验测定DC体外激发T细胞的增殖和细胞毒杀伤率。结果显示 :PD L1和PD L2随着DC的成熟呈上调表达 ,CD4 0配基化DC的PD L1和PD L2均为中度表达 ,TNF α激发的DC为高度表达 ,二者呈现差异性表达 (P <0 0 5 ) ;CD4 0配基化髓系DC分泌IL 2的量明显高于TNF α组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,体外刺激T增殖和激活CTL能力在CD4 0配基化DC组最高 (P <0 0 5 )。提示CD4 0配基化的小鼠髓系DC呈现PD L1和PD L2的中度表达 ,IL 2大量分泌 ,这些均有助于激发有效的特异性免疫应答