Real-world PD-L1 testing and distribution of PD-L1 tumor expression by immunohistochemistry assay type among patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the United States

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 8;13(11):e0206370. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206370. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: The anti-programmed death receptor-1 (anti-PD-1) pembrolizumab is approved as first-line monotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) with PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor expression ≥50%. Most studies comparing PD-L1 results by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay type have been conducted by prespecified and, in most cases, highly experienced, trained pathologists; however, knowledge is limited regarding the current use and concordance of PD-L1 assays in the real-world clinical setting. Our aim was to study the distribution of PD-L1 tumor expression by IHC assay type among patients with mNSCLC in US oncology practices.

Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized de-identified, longitudinal data from a large US electronic medical record database. Eligible patients were adults (≥18 years) with histologically/cytologically confirmed initial diagnosis of metastatic or recurrent NSCLC from October 2015 through December 2017. We determined PD-L1 testing trends and distribution of PD-L1 tumor expression (percentage of tumor cells staining for PD-L1) by IHC assay type.

Results: The 12,574 eligible patients (mean age, 69 years) included 6,620 (53%) men and 86% with positive smoking history. Of 4,868 evaluable tests, 3,799 (78%), 195 (4%), 165 (3%), and 709 (15%) used the Agilent 22C3 pharmDx, Agilent 28-8 pharmDx, Ventana PD-L1 (SP142) Assay, and laboratory-developed tests (LDTs, including SP263), respectively. The percentages of tests scoring PD-L1 tumor expression of ≥50% were 33%, 32%, 10%, and 23%, respectively. Measured PD-L1 tumor expression varied across the four assay types (χ2 p < 0.001) and across three assay types excluding SP142 (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between 22C3 and 28-8 assays (p = 0.96). The PD-L1 testing rate increased from 18% in the fourth quarter of 2015 to 71% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Conclusions: In the real-world clinical setting, we observed that measured PD-L1 tumor expression is concordant using the 22C3 and 28-8 assays; however, the SP142 assay and LDTs appear discordant and could underestimate high PD-L1 positivity. Further study is needed to evaluate the association between PD-L1 tumor expression and response to therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD274 protein, human

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth NJ, USA. The funder of the study participated in the study design, data analysis, decision to publish, and preparation of the manuscript. The funder also provided support in the form of salaries for authors PDP, FXL, XC, XC, and TB. All authors, including those employed by Merck, participated in the data interpretation and writing of the report. All authors had full access to study results and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.