The metastatic site does not influence PD-L1 expression in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

Correlation of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression With Lung Adenocarcinoma Histologic and Molecular Subgroups in Primary and Metastatic Sites

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in terms of the tumor proportion score (TPS) is the main predictive biomarker approved for immunotherapy against lung nonsmall cell carcinoma. Although some studies have explored the associations between histology and PD-L1 expression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, they have been limited in sample size and/or extent of examined histologic variables, which may have resulted in conflicting information. In this observational retrospective study, we identified primary and metastatic lung adenocarcinoma cases in the span of 5 years and tabulated the detailed histopathologic features, including pathological stage, tumor growth pattern, tumor grade, lymphovascular and pleural invasion, molecular alterations, and the associated PD-L1 expression for each case. Statistical analyses were performed to detect associations between PD-L1 and these features. Among 1658 cases, 643 were primary tumor resections, 751 were primary tumor biopsies, and 264 were metastatic site biopsies or resections. Higher TPS significantly correlated with high-grade growth patterns, grade 3 tumors, higher T and N stage, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and presence of MET and TP53 alterations, whereas lower TPS correlated with lower-grade tumors and presence of EGFR alterations. There was no difference in PD-L1 expression in matched primary and metastases, although higher TPS was observed in metastatic tumors due to the presence of high-grade patterns in these specimens. TPS showed a strong association with a histologic pattern. Higher-grade tumors had higher TPS, which is also associated with more aggressive histologic features. Tumor grade should be kept in mind when selecting cases and blocks for PD-L1 testing.

Association of Molecular Profiles and Mutational Status With Distinct Histological Lung Adenocarcinoma Subtypes. An Analysis of the LACE-Bio Data

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is indicated for stage II and stage III lung adenocarcinomas (ADC). Using the LACE Bio II database, we analyzed the distribution of various mutations across the subtypes of ADCs and studied the prognostic and predictive roles of PD-L1, TMB, and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and genomic data from the LACE Bio II data were extracted. Patients were divided into ADC subtypes, in which the grouping was done based on their known clinical behavior (Lepidic [LEP], Acinar/Papillary [ACI or PAP], Micropapillary/Solid [MIP or SOL], Mucinous [MUC] and Others). Kaplan-Meier (KM) and log-rank test were used to compare survival based on PD-L1, TMB, TILs and combinations of TMB with PD-L1 and TILs. Adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) were analyzed with Overall Survival (OS), Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Lung Cancer-Specific Survival (LCSS) as endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 375 ADC patients were identified. MIP/SOL was the subtype most commonly positive for various biomarkers. PD-L1 Negative/high TMB was associated with better outcomes in terms of OS (HR = 0.46 [0.23-0.89], P = .021) and DFS (HR = 0.52 [0.30-0.90], P = .02), relative to PD-L1 Negative/low TMB. High TMB predicted worse outcome with AC use in terms of OS (ratio of hazard ratio rHR = 2.75 [1.07-7.04], P = .035). Marked TILs had better outcome with AC for DFS (rHR = 0.22 [0.06-0.87], P = .031 and LCSS (rHR = 0.08 [0.01-0.66], P = .019) respectively. There was also a beneficial effect of AC among patients with Marked TILs/low TMB in terms of DFS (rHR = 0.06 [0.01-0.53], P = .011).

CONCLUSION

High TMB has a prognostic role in resectable lung ADC. The high TMB group had a poor outcome with AC, suggesting that this group may be better served with immune checkpoint therapy.

Atypical Response in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: Radiographic Patterns and Clinical Value of Local Therapy

PURPOSE

To explore the clinical characteristics, management, and survival outcomes of advanced NSCLC patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors who presented with an atypical response (AR).

METHODS

A total of 926 PD-1/PD-L1-inhibitor-treated patients with metastatic NSCLC from three academic centers were retrospectively reviewed. All measurable lesions were evaluated by RECIST version 1.1.

RESULTS

Fifty-six (6.1%) patients developed AR. The median time to the occurrence of AR was 2.0 months. Patients with no fewer than 3 metastatic organs at baseline were more prone to develop AR in advanced NSCLC (p = 0.038). The common sites of progressive lesions were lymph nodes (33.8%) and lungs (29.7%). The majority (78.2%) of patients with AR had only 1-2 progressive tumor lesions, and most (89.1%) of the progressive lesions developed from originally existing tumor sites. There was no significance in terms of survival between patients with AR and those with typical response (TR). Local therapy was an independent predictor for PFS of patients with AR (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

AR was not an uncommon event in patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and it had a comparable prognosis to those with TR. Proper local therapy targeting progressive lesions without discontinuing original PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may improve patient survival.

Does Elevated Pre-Treatment Plasma PD-L1 Level Indicate an Increased Tumor Burden and Worse Prognosis in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) have been reported as possibly favorable prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, their longitudinal effect is unknown. Methods: A pilot study was performed to investigate whether baseline PD-1/PD-L1 levels are associated with further laboratory changes and/or shorter survival. Results: A total of 506 laboratory measurements from 37 metastatic CRC patients were analyzed. The baseline plasma PD-1 and PD-L1 levels were 27.73 ± 1.20 pg/mL and 16.01 ± 1.09 pg/mL, respectively. Disease progression (p = 0.0443) and baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.0011), aspartate transaminase (p = 0.0253), alanine transaminase (p = 0.0386), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (p = 0.0103) were associated with higher PD-L1 levels. Based on the baseline PD-1/PD-L1 levels, low and high PD-1/PD-L1 groups were created. Constant, pathological levels of complete blood count values, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum albumin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase were characteristic for patients with high baseline PD-L1. High PD-L1 levels were significantly associated with increased tumor burden. Disease-specific survival and progression-free survival were significantly shorter in patients with high PD-L1. Conclusions: Abnormal levels of laboratory parameters and intensified tumor burden can be expected if elevated baseline plasma PD-1/PD-L1 levels are found.

Immune-related dissociated response as a specific atypical response pattern in solid tumors with immune checkpoint blockade

Immune checkpoint blockade using immune checkpoint inhibitors, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen–4 and programmed cell death protein-1/programmed cell death ligand–1 inhibitors, has revolutionized systematic treatment for advanced solid tumors, with unprecedented survival benefit and tolerable toxicity. Nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, avelumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab, and ipilimumab are currently approved standard treatment options for various human cancer types. The response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors, however, is unsatisfactory, and unexpectedly, atypical radiological responses, including delayed responses, pseudoprogression, hyperprogression, and dissociated responses (DRs), are observed in a small subgroup of patients. The benefit of immunotherapy for advanced patients who exhibit atypical responses is underestimated according to the conventional response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). In particular, DR is considered a mixed radiological or heterogeneous response pattern when responding and nonresponding lesions or new lesions coexist simultaneously. The rate of DR reported in different studies encompass a wide range of 3.3–47.8% based on diverse definition of DR. Although DR is also associated with treatment efficacy and a favorable prognosis, it is different from pseudoprogression, which has concordant progressive lesions and can be regularly captured by immune RECIST. This review article aims to comprehensively determine the frequency, definition, radiological evaluation, probable molecular mechanisms, prognosis, and clinical management of immune-related DR and help clinicians and radiologists objectively and correctly interpret this specific atypical response and better understand and manage cancer patients with immunotherapy and guarantee their best clinical benefit.

Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Bone Metastasis and Their Therapeutic Value

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Bone metastasis, which usually accompanies severe skeletal-related events, is the most common site for tumor distant dissemination and detected in more than one-third of patients with advanced lung cancer. Biopsy and imaging play critical roles in the diagnosis of bone metastasis; however, these approaches are characterized by evident limitations. Recently, studies regarding potential biomarkers in the serum, urine, and tumor tissue, were performed to predict the bone metastases and prognosis in patients with lung cancer. In this review, we summarize the findings of recent clinical research studies on biomarkers detected in samples obtained from patients with lung cancer bone metastasis. These markers include the following: (1) bone resorption-associated markers, such as N-terminal telopeptide (NTx)/C-terminal telopeptide (CTx), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx-I), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP-5b), pyridinoline (PYD), and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP); (2) bone formation-associated markers, including total serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP)/bone specific alkaline phosphatase(BAP), osteopontin (OP), osteocalcin (OS), amino-terminal extension propeptide of type I procollagen/carboxy-terminal extension propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP/PINP); (3) signaling markers, including epidermal growth factor receptor/Kirsten rat sarcoma/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EGFR/KRAS/ALK), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/RANK/OPG), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12/C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCL12/CXCR4), complement component 5a receptor (C5AR); and (4) other potential markers, such as calcium sensing receptor (CASR), bone sialoprotein (BSP), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), cytokeratin 19 fragment/carcinoembryonic antigen (CYFRA/CEA), tissue factor, cell-free DNA, long non-coding RNA, and microRNA. The prognostic value of these markers is also investigated. Furthermore, we listed some clinical trials targeting hotspot biomarkers in advanced lung cancer referring for their therapeutic effects.

Factors Influencing Concordance of PD-L1 Expression between Biopsies and Cytological Specimens in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PD-L1 expression assessed by immunohistochemical staining is used for the selection of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Appropriate validation of PD-L1 expression in cytology specimens is important as cytology is often the only diagnostic material in NSCLC. In a previous study comprising two different cohorts of paired biopsies and cytological specimens, we found a fairly good cyto-histological correlation of PD-L1 expression in one, whereas only a moderate correlation was found in the other cohort. Therefore, that cohort with additional new cases was now further investigated for the impact of preanalytical factors on PD-L1 concordance in paired biopsies and cytological specimens. A total of 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cell blocks from 19 pleural effusions (PE), 17 bronchial brushes (BB), and 64 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and concurrent matched biopsies from 80 bronchial biopsies and 20 transthoracic core biopsies from NSCLC patients were stained using the PD-L1 28-8 assay. Using the cutoffs ≥1%, ≥5%, ≥10%, and ≥50% positive tumour cells, the overall agreement between histology and cytology was 77-85% (κ 0.51-0.70) depending on the applied cutoff value. The concordance was better for BALs (κ 0.53-0.81) and BBs (κ 0.55-0.85) than for PEs (κ -0.16-0.48), while no difference was seen for different types of biopsies or histological tumour type. A high number of tumour cells (>500) in biopsies was associated with better concordance at the ≥50% cutoff. In conclusion, the study results suggest that PEs may be less suitable for evaluation of PD-L1 due to limited cyto-histological concordance, while a high amount of tumour cells in biopsies may be favourable when regarding cyto-histological PD-L1 concordance.

Histopathologic and molecular profiling of lung adenocarcinoma skin metastases reveals specific features

AIMS

Little is known regarding the histopathological and molecular features of lung adenocarcinoma skin metastases. Our study is the largest to comprehensively explore these to date.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a retrospective cohort study analysing 42 lung adenocarcinoma skin metastasis samples obtained from a database of 2659 lung adenocarcinomas collected between 2010 to 2020. EGFR exon 19 deletion was detected in one patient, and KRAS mutations were detected in 12 (33.3%) patients. The PD-L1 tumour proportion score was <1% in 27 patients, ≥1% and <50% in 8 patients, ≥50% in 6 patients, and not assessable in one patient. We showed that the predominant histopathologic subtype is different from that at other metastatic sites (p=0.024). TTF-1 was more often negative in skin metastases compared to other sites (p<0.001). The EGFR mutation rate tended to be lower for skin metastases compared to other sites (p=0.079). Skin metastases were associated with a high rate of PD-L1-negative cases (p=0.022).

CONCLUSION

Our work shows that the skin metastases of lung adenocarcinoma have a specific histopathologic profile.

PD-L1 Testing in Cytological Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Specimens: A Comparison with Biopsies and Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is used for treatment prediction in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While cytology may be the only available material in the routine clinical setting, testing in clinical trials has mainly been based on biopsies.

METHODS

We included 2 retrospective cohorts of paired, concurrently sampled, cytological specimens and biopsies. Also, the literature on PD-L1 in paired cytological/histological samples was reviewed. Focus was on the cutoff levels ≥1 and ≥50% positive tumor cells.

RESULTS

Using a 3-tier scale, PD-L1 was concordant in 40/47 (85%) and 66/97 (68%) of the paired NSCLC cases in the 2 cohorts, with kappa 0.77 and 0.49, respectively. In the former cohort, all discordant cases had lower score in cytology. In both cohorts, concordance was lower in samples from different sites (e.g., biopsy from primary tumor and cytology from pleural effusion). Based on 25 published studies including about 1,700 paired cytology/histology cases, the median (range) concordance was 81-85% (62-100%) at cutoff 1% for a positive PD-L1 staining and 89% (67-100%) at cutoff 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall concordance of PD-L1 between cytology and biopsies is rather good but with significant variation between laboratories, which calls for local quality assurance.

Prevalence and Heterogeneity of PD-L1 Expression by 22C3 Assay in Routine Population-Based and Reflexive Clinical Testing in Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is used as a biomarker for anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapies in NSCLC. We report here the results of population-based PD-L1 testing using the 22C3 IHC pharmDx Assay (Agilent Technologies) in a large Canadian regional reference pathology laboratory.

METHODS

Testing was conducted reflexively on biopsies and resections for NSCLC during an 8-month period. Tumor proportion score (TPS) cutoffs for low and high expression were 1% and 50%, respectively.

RESULTS

Altogether, 2031 PD-L1 tests were performed on specimens from 1795 patients, with 107 inconclusive results (5.3%). Excluding cases with inconclusive/missing data, proportions for the remaining 1713 patients were 41.6% for TPS less than 1%, 28.6% for TPS 1% to 49%, and 29.8% for TPS greater than or equal to 50%. Higher PD-L1 expression rates were noted in EGFR wild-type versus mutant tumors (p < 0.001), squamous versus adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001), and metastatic versus primary tumors (p < 0.001). PD-L1 among 103 patients with paired biopsy and resection specimens revealed moderate concordance (κ = 0.67). A total of 52% (25 of 48) of biopsies with TPS less than 1% had TPS greater than 1% in resection, whereas 84.6% (22 of 26) of biopsies with TPS greater than or equal to 50% were concordant in resected tumors. Discordance rates between biopsy and resection were 71.4% for biopsies with less than 8 mm² total area, compared with 33.3% for biopsies with greater than or equal to 8 mm² area (p < 0.026). Concordance among 27 patients with paired primary lung and metastatic tumor biopsies revealed only weak concordance (κ = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Intratumoral heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression may result in misclassification of PD-L1 status in a substantial proportion of PD-L1-negative small biopsy samples. Biopsy of metastatic site may increase proportion of patients with high PD-L1 expression.

Efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with brain metastasis caused by previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer with high tumor PD-L1 expression

OBJECTIVES

Pembrolizumab is recommended for patients with previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) of ≥1%. The KEYNOTE-024 study described the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated NSCLC who had a PD-L1 TPS of at least 50 %. However, patients with untreated brain metastasis (BM) were excluded from many clinical trials. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of pembrolizumab against BM of NSCLC with high tumor PD-L1 expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who received pembrolizumab as first-line treatment against NSCLC with PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50 % between March 2017 and September 2019. Treatment efficacy was compared between patients with (BM group) and without BM (non-BM group). In addition, the BM group was divided into patients who previously received treatment for BM before pembrolizumab (BM-T group) and those with no prior treatment for BM (BM-not T group).

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients (23 BM group and 64 non-BM group) were assessable for efficacy. No significant differences in patient characteristics were found between the BM and non-BM groups, but proportion of patients with stage IV at diagnosis was significantly higher in the BM group. Median progression-free survival (PFS) (6.5 months vs. 7.0 months) and overall survival (OS) (21.6 months vs. 24.6 months) did not significantly differ between the two groups. The response rate of BM was 70 %. The BM group was subdivided into 13 patients in the BM-T group and 10 patients in the BM-not T group. No significant differences in patient characteristics were found between the two groups, but maximum diameter of BM and proportion of patients with symptomatic BM were significantly greater in the BM-T group. PFS and OS did not significantly differ between the two groups. The median PFS of BM was 13.6 months in the BM-T group and 18.6 months in the BM-not T group.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab may be effective for BM caused by previously untreated NSCLC with high PD-L1 tumor expression.

PD-1/PD-L1 Blockers in NSCLC Brain Metastases: Challenging Paradigms and Clinical Practice

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most pivotal phase III trials systematically excluded patients with active brain metastases, precluding the generalization of the results. Although theoretically restricted from crossing the blood-brain barrier, the novel pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs have prompted studies to evaluate their activity in patients with NSCLC with active central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Encouraging results have suggested that ICI could be active in the CNS in selected patients with driver-negative advanced NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression and low CNS disease burden. Single-agent CNS response rates around 30% have been reported. Beyond this particular setting, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies have been evaluated in patients receiving local therapy for brain metastases (BM), addressing concerns about potential neurologic toxicity risks associated with radiotherapy, more specifically, radionecrosis (RN). Accordingly, a variety of clinical and imaging strategies are being appropriately developed to evaluate tumor response and to rule out pseudoprogression or radionecrosis. Our purpose is to critically summarize the advances regarding the role of systemic anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies for the treatment of NSCLC BM. Data were collected from the PubMed database, reference lists, and abstracts from the latest scientific meetings. Recent reports suggest anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents are active in a subset of patients with NSCLC with BM showing acceptable toxicity. These advances are expected to change soon the management of these patients but additional research is required to address concerns regarding radionecrosis and the appropriate sequencing of local and systemic therapy combinations.

Optimizing management of advanced urothelial carcinoma: A review of emerging therapies and biomarker-driven patient selection

INTRODUCTION

Advanced urothelial carcinoma has been challenging to treat due to limited treatment options, poor response rates, and poor long-term survival. New treatment options hold the promise of improved outcomes for these patients.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary working group drafted a management algorithm for advanced urothelial carcinoma using "consensus development conference" methodology. A targeted literature search identified new and emerging treatments for inclusion in the management algorithm. Published clinical data were considered during the algorithm development process, as well as the risks and benefits of the treatment options. Biomarkers to guide patient selection in clinical trials for new treatments were incorporated into the algorithm.

RESULTS

The advanced urothelial carcinoma management algorithm includes newly approved first-line anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapies, a newly approved anti-fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) therapy, and an emerging anti-Nectin 4 therapy, which have had encouraging results in phase 2 trials for second-line and third-line therapy, respectively. This algorithm also incorporates suggestions for biomarker testing of PD-L1 expression and FGFR gene alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Newly approved and emerging therapies are starting to cover an unmet need for more treatment options, better response rates, and improved overall survival in advanced urothelial carcinoma. The management algorithm provides guidance on how to incorporate these new options, and their associated biomarkers, into clinical practice.

Dissociated responses at initial computed tomography evaluation is a good prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with anti-programmed cell death-1/ligand 1 inhibitors

Background

Dissociated responses (DR) are phenomena in which some tumors shrink, whereas others progress during treatment of patients with cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the frequency and prognosis of DR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with anti-programmed cell death-1/ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/L1) inhibitors.

Methods

This retrospective study included NSCLC patients who received anti-PD-1/L1 inhibitor as second- or later-line treatment. We excluded patients without radiological evaluation.

In patients who showed progressive disease (PD) according to the RECIST 1.1 at the initial CT evaluation, we evaluated all measurable lesions in each organ to identify DR independently of RECIST 1.1. We defined DR as a disease with some shrinking lesions as well as growing or emerging new lesions. Cases not classified as DR were defined as ‘true PD’. Overall survival was compared between patients with DR and those with true PD using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

The present study included 62 NSCLC patients aged 27–82 years (median: 65 years). DR and true PD were observed in 11 and 51 patients, respectively. The frequency of DR in NSCLC patients who showed PD to anti-PD-1/L1 was 17.7%. Median overall survival was significantly longer in patients with DR versus true PD (14.0 vs. 6.6 months, respectively; hazard ratio for death: 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.17–0.94).

Conclusions

Patients with DR exhibited a relatively favorable prognosis.