Tumor cells PD-L1 expression as a favorable prognosis factor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with pre-existing intratumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Qian; Cai, Mu-Yan; Chen, Chang-Long; Hu, Hao; Lin, Huan-Xin; Li, Min; Weng, De-Sheng; Zhao, Jing-Jing; Guo, Ling; Xia, Jian-Chuan
• Is Part Of: Oncoimmunology. Volume 6:Number 5(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- PD-L1 -- prognosis -- tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; Tumors -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- therapy -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1312240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-402X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression represents a mechanism of immune escape by inhibiting T cell immunity. This study systematically evaluated the expression of PD-L1, spatial distribution of CD3 + immune cells and the relationship of both factors to survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. A total of 209 NPC patients treated between 1991 and 2000 were included. Pairs of TMAs were immunohistochemically stained with PD-L1 and CD3. Survival analysis was evaluated according to PD-L1 status and the spatial distribution of CD3 + immune cells in the primary lesion microenvironment. PD-L1 staining was observed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TILs); however, PD-L1-positive immune cells were more common (98/209) than PD-L1-positive tumor cells (68/209). Limited numbers of intra-tumoral CD3 + T cells (median number: 20) were detected. Patients with higher CD3 + T cell infiltration, both intratumorally and peritumorally, had higher PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (both p < 0.001) and immune cells ( p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Increasing intratumoral CD3 infiltration was correlated with increased overall survival (OS) ( p = 0.008) and disease-free survival (DFS) ( p = 0.003). Nevertheless, patients with low levels of peritumoral TILs showed superior OS ( p = 0.557) and DFS to those with higher levels of peritumoral TILs ( p = 0.671). Moreover, type classification based on intratumoral CD3 infiltration and tumor cell PD-L1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for NPC patients. PD-L1 expression on tumor cells is a favorable prognosis factor in NPC patients with pre-existing intratumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.