[PD-L1 expression: An emerging biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer]

Ann Pathol. 2016 Jan;36(1):94-102. doi: 10.1016/j.annpat.2015.11.004. Epub 2016 Jan 14.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Therapies targeting immune checkpoints, in particular programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), are major new strategies for the treatment of several malignancies including mestatatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The identification of predictive biomarkers of response is required, considering efficacy, cost and potential adverse events. Expression of PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry has been associated with higher response rate and overall survival in several clinical trials evaluating anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies. Thus, PD-L1 immunohistochemical companion assays could be required for treatment with some of these therapies in NSCLC. However, heterogeneity in methodologies of PD-L1 assays in terms of primary antibodies and scoring algorithms, and tumor heterogenity for PD-L1 expression are important issues to be considered. More studies are required to compare the different assays, ensure their harmonization and standardization and identify the optimal conditions for testing. PD-L1 expression is likely an imperfect predictive biomarker for patient selection and association with other markers of the tumor immune microenvironment will be probably necessary in the future.

Keywords: Biomarqueur prédictif; Cancer immunotherapy; Carcinome pulmonaire non à petites cellules; Immunothérapies anti-tumorales; Non-small cell lung cancer; PD-L1; Predictive biomarker.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity
  • B7-H1 Antigen / analysis*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • B7-H1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-H1 Antigen / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / chemistry*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Clone Cells
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD274 protein, human