Significance of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Expression and its Association with Survival in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

In patients with SCLC, expression of PD-L1 is positively correlated with a LD stage, and is independently predictive of a favorable outcome.

Immunohistochemical status of PD-L1 in thymoma and thymic carcinoma

“…Previously reports in melanoma, renal cell carcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, pancreatic cancers, esophageal cancers, gastric cancers, ovarian cancers, non-small cell lung carcinomas, and thymic cancers demonstrated that the expression of PD-L1 was related to poor prognosis [4,7,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Of note, in other cancers, it remains controversial [28][29][30][31][32][33]. One potential explanation linking a poor histology (types A, AB, and B, or type C) with higher PD-L1 expression could be that PD-L1 expression on tumor cells inhibits the infiltration of T lymphocytes and cause down-regulation and apoptosis of TIL, causing immunosuppression [34].…”

Small Cell Lung Cancer: Can Recent Advances in Biology and Molecular Biology Be Translated into Improved Outcomes?

“…Another two studies are exploring the efficacy of combination of pembrolizumab with chemotherapy/radiotherapy for extensive SCLC (NCT02359019, NCT02402920). Additionally, blocking PD-L1 signaling by infiltrating macrophages may be sufficient to generate a positive response from T-cells and improve the survival of SCLC patients 154 . A number of clinical trials including or focusing on SCLC patients with PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4 inhibitors are ongoing (e.g., NCT01693562, -02261220, -02046733, 02538666).…”

Research progress in the treatment of small cell lung cancer

“…The median OS was 16.3 months in the PD-L1-positive group and 7.3 months in the PD-L1-negative group (P<0.001). 94 Some prospective clinical trials are investigating pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy or pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy for SCLC patients (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02359019 and NCT02403920). We expect the results of these combination treatment to be beneficial for SCLC patients.…”