Correlation Between Programmed Death Receptor-1 Expression in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Del C Monroig-Bosque, P.; Driver, B.; Morales-Rosado, J.A.; Deavers, M.; Tacha, D.; Bernicker, E.; Cagle, P.T.; Miller, R.A.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 142(11): 1388-1393
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 29431467 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2017-0516-oa
Accession: 056959941
The interaction between programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) on activated T cells sends an inhibitory signal that dampens the immune response. Tumors can express PD-L1 and evade the immune system. In advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma, expression of PD-1 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) correlates with PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (TCs). However, this relationship has not been thoroughly explored in early disease. To investigate the correlation of PD-1 and PD-L1 in non-small cell lung carcinoma tumor samples, with emphasis on stage I disease. Whole tissue sections from non-small cell lung carcinoma tumors were retrospectively evaluated by immunohistochemistry for PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. The scoring was based on the percentage of cells positive for PD-1 in TILs and PD-L1 in TCs and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (ICs). Expression of PD-1 in TILs was observed in 147 of 161 non-small cell lung carcinoma cases (91%). The majority of cases negative for PD-1 also lacked PD-L1 in TCs. The 68 cases with highest PD-1 expression in TILs included 33 (49%) with expression of PD-L1 in TCs and ICs. Strong correlations were observed in patients with elevated PD-1 expression in TILs and PD-L1 in TCs ( P = .01) and ICs ( P = .003). Expression of PD-1 also correlated with increased PD-L1 in TCs and ICs when the 2 were grouped together ( P < .001). Finally, stage I patients with negative PD-1 and PD-L1 expression showed trends toward increased disease-specific survival. Expression of PD-1 in TILs correlates with PD-L1 expression in both TCs and ICs. Furthermore, negative expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 suggest trends toward disease-specific survival, even in early disease stages.