Prognostic value of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer under different treatment types: a retrospective study

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 22; p. eAO0575
• Main Authors: Castro, Nicoly Marques de, Moura, Fernando, Hada, Aline Lury, Garcia, Diogo, Victor, Elivane da Silva, Schvartsman, Gustavo, Carvalho, Leonardo, Fernandes, Milena Lourenço Coleta, Martins, Rodrigo de Souza, Silva, Elaine Ferreira da, Santos, Sarah Silva Mello Batista Dos, Taniwaki, Letícia, Taranto, Patrícia, Pontes, Janaina, Beal, Juliana Rodrigues, Dutra, Ana Carolina Pereira, Oliveira Filho, João Bosco de, Araujo, Sérgio Eduardo Alonso, Usón Junior, Pedro Luiz Serrano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer; Lung neoplasms; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Original; Programmed cell death 1 receptor; Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer; Programmed cell death 1 receptor; Lung neoplasms
• ISSN: 2317-6385; 1679-4508; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0575

Currently programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in combination with other therapies are being evaluated to determine their efficacy in cancer treatment. However, the effect of PD-ligand (L) 1 expression on disease outcomes in stage III (EC III) non-small cell lung cancer is not completely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of PD-L1 expression on the outcomes of EC III non-small cell lung cancer.OBJECTIVECurrently programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in combination with other therapies are being evaluated to determine their efficacy in cancer treatment. However, the effect of PD-ligand (L) 1 expression on disease outcomes in stage III (EC III) non-small cell lung cancer is not completely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of PD-L1 expression on the outcomes of EC III non-small cell lung cancer.This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with EC III non-small cell lung cancer who underwent treatment at a tertiary care hospital. PD-L1 expression was determined using immunohistochemical staining, all patients expressed PD-L1. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Relationships between variables were assessed using Cox proportional regression models.METHODSThis study was conducted on patients diagnosed with EC III non-small cell lung cancer who underwent treatment at a tertiary care hospital. PD-L1 expression was determined using immunohistochemical staining, all patients expressed PD-L1. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Relationships between variables were assessed using Cox proportional regression models.A total of 49 patients (median age=69 years) with EC III non-small cell lung cancer and PD-L1 expression were evaluated. More than half of the patients were men, and most were regular smokers. The patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, or sequential or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The median progression-free survival of the entire cohort was 14.2 months, and the median overall survival was 20 months. There was no significant association between PD-L1 expression and disease progression, clinical characteristics, or overall survival.RESULTSA total of 49 patients (median age=69 years) with EC III non-small cell lung cancer and PD-L1 expression were evaluated. More than half of the patients were men, and most were regular smokers. The patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, or sequential or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The median progression-free survival of the entire cohort was 14.2 months, and the median overall survival was 20 months. There was no significant association between PD-L1 expression and disease progression, clinical characteristics, or overall survival.PD-L1 expression was not correlated with EC III non-small cell lung cancer outcomes. Whether these findings differ from the association with immune checkpoint inhibitors remains to be addressed in future studies.CONCLUSIONSPD-L1 expression was not correlated with EC III non-small cell lung cancer outcomes. Whether these findings differ from the association with immune checkpoint inhibitors remains to be addressed in future studies.