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Review
. 2022 Oct;114(5):352-364.
doi: 10.32074/1591-951X-803.

PD-L1 evaluation in the gastrointestinal tract: from biological rationale to its clinical application

Luca Mastracci #  1   2 , Federica Grillo #  1   2 , Paola Parente  3 , Irene Gullo  4   5   6 , Michela Campora  7 , Valentina Angerilli  8 , Chiara Rossi  9 , Maria Luisa Sacramento  4 , Gianmaria Pennelli  8 , Alessandro Vanoli  9 , Matteo Fassan  8   10
Affiliations
Review

PD-L1 evaluation in the gastrointestinal tract: from biological rationale to its clinical application

Luca Mastracci et al. Pathologica. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have brought significant clinical benefit in many solid cancer types, including gastrointestinal malignancies. However, it has been estimated that only 20-40% of patients respond to treatment. The pattern of expression and potential predictive value of PD-L1 as an immunohistochemical biomarker has been extensively studied in gastrointestinal neoplasms. Until now, its predictive value has been demonstrated, and is currently in use only in upper gastrointestinal malignancies (gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma).

In this Review, we describe the technical aspects and challenges related to PD-L1 immunohistochemical assays, the current role of PD-L1 as a biomarker in clinical practice and we outline the main studies and clinical trials analyzing the prognostic and predictive value of PD-L1 in gastrointestinal cancers.

Keywords: PD-L1; clinical trials; gastrointestinal neoplasms; immunohistochemistry; immunotherapy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Examples of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry scoring using Combined Positive Score (CPS) and Tumor Proportion Score (TPS).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
PD-L1 expression staining patterns by Combined Positive Score (CPS) and relative therapeutic indications in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. *At present, Nivolumab is indicated (Checkmate 649). **At present, Nivolumab (Checkmate 649) or Pembrolizumab (Keynote 590) are indicated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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