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. 2021 Jul;70(7):1907-1915.
doi: 10.1007/s00262-020-02821-3. Epub 2021 Jan 4.

PD-L1 expression in sebaceous carcinomas

Maelle Saliba  1 , Muhammad Shaheen  1 , Rana El Hajj  1 , Fatmeh Abbas  1 , Shaarif Bashir  2 , Umer Nisar Sheikh  2 , Rami Mahfouz  1 , Asif Loya  2 , Ibrahim Khalifeh  3
Affiliations

PD-L1 expression in sebaceous carcinomas

Maelle Saliba et al. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Traditional systemic treatments for unresectable, recurrent, and/or advanced sebaceous carcinoma (SC) are ineffective. Tumoral immune microenvironment characterization is essential for considering immune checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment option.

Methods: A total of 173 resected SCs were reviewed. Clinical information, lesion size, and location were collected. Microscopic examination documented histopathologic features and expression of immunohistochemical markers PD-L1 and CD8. PD-L1 percentage was assessed amongst tumor (PD-L1 + Tu) and immune infiltrating cells (PD-L1 + Inf). Each case was attributed a combined positive score (CPS) following Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma recommendations. PD-L1 expression was evaluated according to clinicopathologic parameters. Human Papilloma Virus presence (HPV) was analyzed using PCR microarray scanning.

Results: A therapeutically relevant CPS was seen in 51.4% of cases. Higher PD-L1 + Tu, PD-L1 + Inf, and CPSs were positively associated with greater lesion size and an extraocular location. No association was seen with patient age or gender. 9.2% of SCs showed PD-L1 + Tu ≥ 1, while 52.0% showed PD-L1 + Inf ≥ 1. A higher CD8 + T-lymphocyte density was significantly associated with a higher CPS, PD-L1 + Tu, and PD-L1 + Inf. Tumor-associated T-cell infiltrate's density was higher along tumor periphery. HPV-16, HPV-43, HPV-52, and HPV-66 were detected in 8.4% of SCs. There was no significant association between HPV status, PD-L1 expression, and CPS. A significant number of SCs express PD-L1 at therapeutic levels. Nevertheless, PD-L1 expression shows a higher intertumoral heterogeneity, in extraocular than in biologically distinct periocular cases.

Conclusion: Our data support the need for large-scale prospective studies evaluating anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy mainly in extraocular SC treatment.

Keywords: Human papilloma virus; Immunotherapy; PD-L1; Sebaceous carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

All Authors confirm that there are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CD8 + T-lymphocytes aggregate along the periphery of the tumor (a, CD8, 100x) and encircle a nerve surrounded by tumor nests (b, CD8, 100x). PD-L1 expression by tumor cells (c, PD-L1, 400x). PD-L1 expression by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages (d, PD-L1, 400x)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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