Effect of Radio-Chemotherapy on PD-L1 Immunohistochemical Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors represent a mainstay of therapy in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). However, little is known about the influence of combined therapy on PD-L1 expression. The study aims to gather evidence on this topic.

METHODS:

A systematic search was carried out in electronic databases Pubmed-MEDLINE and Embase to retrieve studies on the comparison of PD-L1 expression before and after conventional therapy. Data were extracted and a quantitative analysis with pooled odds ratios (ORs) was performed when applicable.

RESULTS:

Of 5688 items, 15 were finally included. Only a minority of studies assessed PD-L1 with the recommended combined positive score (CPS). The results are highly heterogeneous, with some studies reporting an increase in PD-L1 expression and others reporting a decrease. Three studies allowed for quantitative analysis and showed a pooled OR of 0.49 (CI 0.27-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS:

From the present evidence, a clear conclusion towards an increase or decrease in PD-L1 expression after combined therapy cannot be drawn, but even with few studies available, a trend towards an increase in expression in tumor cells at a cutoff of 1% can be noted in patients undergoing platinum-based therapy. Future studies will provide more robust data on the effect of combined therapy on PD-L1 expression.

• Authors: Ilaria Girolami, Stefano Marletta, Vincenzo Fiorentino, Simonetta Battocchio, Bruna Cerbelli, Barbara Fiamengo, Clara Gerosa, Andrea Gianatti, Luca Morelli, Giulio Riva, Maria Giovanna Zagami, Nicola Fusco, Enrico Munari, Vincenzo L'Imperio, Fabio Pagni, Patrizia Morbini, Maurizio Martini, Albino Eccher
• Journal: Journal of personalized medicine (J Pers Med) Vol. 13 Issue 2 (Feb 18 2023) ISSN: 2075-4426 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 36836595 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)