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. 2021 Dec 23:11:774131.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.774131. eCollection 2021.

Prognostic Role of Soluble Programmed Death Ligand 1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Guixiang Liao  1 , Zhihong Zhao  2 , Yuting Qian  1 , Xiean Ling  3 , Shanyi Chen  1 , Xianming Li  1 , Feng-Ming Spring Kong  4   5
Affiliations

Prognostic Role of Soluble Programmed Death Ligand 1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Guixiang Liao et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore whether soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) is a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was carried out. Original studies with inclusion of sPD-L1, progression-free survival, and overall survival in NSCLC were eligible. The primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied for data analysis.

Results: Eight studies involving 710 patients with NSCLC were included in the analysis. A pooled data analysis revealed that high levels of sPD-L1 were correlated with poorer overall survival (HR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.82-3.00; P < 0.001) and progression-free survival (HR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.62-3.40, P < 0.001). A subgroup analysis revealed that high levels of sPD-L1 were correlated with poor overall survival in patients treated with immunotherapy (HR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.79-3.22; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This pooled analysis of published data suggests that sPD-L1 may serve as a readily available biomarker for survival in NSCLC patients treated with ICI based treatment. Prospective studies with well-designed standard assessment methods should be conducted to validate the prognostic role of sPD-L1 in NSCLC.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021283177.

Keywords: immune checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy; non-small cell lung cancer; overall survival; prognosis; soluble programmed death ligand 1.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The process of study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots of hazard ratio for the relationship between sPD-L1 level and survival outcomes. (A) Overall survival (OS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. (B) Progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. (C) OS in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. (D) PFS in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot overall survival of all patients and subgroup analysis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Publication bias evaluated by Begg’s test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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