title: Programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with an inflammatory phenotype.
abstract: Phase 2 clinical trials utilising novel anti-PD1/PD-L1 antibodies are being conducted in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. However, data regarding PD-L1 expression in OSCC is limited. The aim of this study was to characterise the PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression in OSCC and its association with clinicopathological factors. Clinicopathological review of 217 patients with OSCC was performed, including quantifying tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry with PD-L1, CD4 and CD8 was performed. Forty (18.3%) cases showed PD-L1 expression. Expression was significantly more frequent in females (p=0.013), tongue/buccal mucosal SCCs (p=0.05), and in tumours with a high lymphocytic infiltrate (p>0.001). Intratumoural heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression was observed in 30% of the cases. PD-L1 expression was not significantly associated with disease-free (p=0.82) or overall survival (p=0.93). PD-L1 expression occurred in a significant minority of OSCC and can be heterogeneous. Frequent PD-L1 expression in OSCCs in females and in tumours with high lymphocytic infiltrate may assist in the selection of patients who may respond to anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapies.
authors: Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Laveniya
authors: L
authors: Satgunaseelan
authors: Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: Ruta.Gupta@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors: Ruta
authors: R
authors: Gupta
authors: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Madore
authors: South West Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Noel
authors: N
authors: Chia
authors: Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Trina
authors: T
authors: Lum
authors: Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Carsten E
authors: CE
authors: Palme
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Boyer
authors: Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Richard A
authors: RA
authors: Scolyer
authors: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; South West Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
chemical_list: D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C423236:CD274 protein, human
keywords: Immunology; OSCC; PD-L1; heterogeneity; immunotherapy; pathology; survival