PD-L1 gene polymorphism and high level of plasma soluble PD-L1 protein may be associated with non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 belong to the co-inhibition molecules, which can downregulate immune responses. The PD-L1 polymorphism and the level of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) were investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
A total of 288 NSCLC patients and 300 controls were enrolled. An A/C polymorphism at position 8923 in the PD-L1 gene was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.


RESULTS
The prevalence of the 8923C allele was significantly higher in NSCLC patients than controls (10.2% versus 5.3%, p = 0.002, odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval 1.30-3.17; data were adjusted for age and sex). NSCLC patients also showed increased plasma levels of sPD-L1 compared to controls (1.92 ng/mL versus 0.91 ng/mL, p&lt;0.001). Furthermore, lung adenocarcinoma patients had higher sPD-L1 levels than patients with squamous cell carcinoma (p&lt;0.01). However, no association was observed between the different genetic variants and plasma concentrations of sPD-L1.


CONCLUSIONS
The PD-L1 8923A/C polymorphism could be associated with increased susceptibility to NSCLC. Plasma levels of sPD-L1 are significantly increased in NSCLC patients, especially those with adenocarcinoma.
School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.|Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Sensen
S
Cheng
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Jinsong
J
Zheng
Department of Oncology, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, Shandong - China.
Jingyan
J
Zhu
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Chao
C
Xie
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Xia
X
Zhang
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Xiao
X
Han
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Bao
B
Song
School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.|Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Yuan
Y
Ma
Department of Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong - China.
Jie
J
Liu
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C423236:CD274 protein, human