scholarly journals The Reproducibility of the Immunohistochemical PD-L1 Testing in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicentric Italian Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Vigliar ◽  
Umberto Malapelle ◽  
Francesca Bono ◽  
Nicola Fusco ◽  
Diego Cortinovis ◽  
...  

An important harmonization effort was produced by the scientific community to standardize both the preanalytical and interpretative phases of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemical (IHC) testing in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This analysis is crucial for the selection of patients with advanced-stage tumors eligible for treatment with pembrolizumab and potentially with other anti-PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. This multicentric retrospective study evaluated the reproducibility of PD-L1 testing in the Italian scenario both for closed and open platforms. In the evaluation of the well-known gold-standard combinations (Agilent 22C3 PharmDx on Dako Autostainer versus Roche’s Ventana SP263 on BenchMark), the results confirmed the literature data and showed complete overlapping between the two methods. With regard to the performances by using open platforms, the combination of 22C3 with Dako Omnis or Benchmark obtained good results basically, while the 28,8 clone seemed to be associated with worse scores.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4s-9s ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne J. Davies ◽  
Anne C. Chiang

Immunotherapy with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors has improved outcomes for certain patients with advanced lung cancer. As use of these therapies has expanded in first-line settings, in patients with different histologies, and in combinations with chemotherapeutic and targeted agents, more patients with lung cancer may benefit from these therapies. However, with expanded use comes greater potential exposure to the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This article uses two case examples to illustrate the presentation, evaluation, and management of pulmonary and neurologic symptoms in two patients receiving PD-1–based therapy for non–small-cell lung cancer. These cases illustrate the challenges associated with recognizing pneumonitis and neuropathy in patients receiving ICIs for lung cancer. Although pneumonitis and neuropathy are relatively rare irAEs, they can have devastating or even fatal outcomes if not promptly recognized and managed appropriately. Specific use of guideline-based, multidisciplinary management is emphasized, as illustrated in the Immuno-Oncology Essentials Care Step Pathways.


2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette M. Sholl ◽  
Dara L. Aisner ◽  
Timothy Craig Allen ◽  
Mary Beth Beasley ◽  
Alain C. Borczuk ◽  
...  

The binding of programmed death ligand-1 and ligand-2 (PD-L1 and PD-L2) to PD-1 blocks T-cell–mediated immune response to tumor. Antibodies that target programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) will block the ligand-receptor interface, thereby allowing T cells to attack the tumor and increase antitumor immune response. In clinical trials, PD-1 inhibitors have been associated with an approximately 20% overall response rate in unselected patients with non–small cell lung cancer, with sustained tumor response in a subset of patients treated by these immune checkpoint inhibitors. Facing a proliferation of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry clones, staining platforms, and scoring criteria, the pathologist must decide on the feasibility of introducing a newly approved companion diagnostic assay that may require purchase not only of a specific antibody kit but of a particular staining platform. Given the likely reality that clinical practice may, in the near future, demand access to 4 different PD-L1 antibodies coupled with different immunohistochemistry platforms, laboratories will be challenged with deciding among this variety of testing methods, each with its own potential benefits. Another immediate challenge to PD-L1 testing in lung cancer patients is that of access to adequate tumor tissue, given that non–small cell lung cancer samples are often extremely limited in size. With PD-L1 testing it has become clear that the historically used US regulatory approach of one assay–one drug will not be sustainable. One evolving concept is that of complementary diagnostics, a novel regulatory pathway initiated by the US Food and Drug Administration, which is distinct from companion diagnostics in that it may present additional flexibility. Although pathologists need to face the practical reality that oncologists will be asking regularly for the PD-L1 immunohistochemistry status of their patients' tumors, we should also keep in mind that there may be room for improvement of biomarkers for immunotherapy response. The field is rich with opportunities for investigation into biomarkers of immunotherapy response, particularly in the form of collaborative, multidisciplinary studies that incorporate oncologists, pathologists, and basic scientists. Pathologists must take the lead in the rational incorporation of these biomarkers into clinical practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
David F Fakih ◽  

Advances in the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapy have transformed the management of non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeting angiogenesis and molecular drivers of carcinogenesis has led to the approval of several new therapies. More recently, immunotherapeutic approaches have been investigated in the treatment setting of NSCLC. These include immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 [CTLA-4], anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 [PD-L1] agents). The emergence of so many therapeutic options offers the potential for personalised therapy. Molecular profiling can inform treatment decisions but there is a need for more data to determine the optimal sequencing and combination of targeted and immunotherapeutic agents.


Author(s):  
Laura QM Chow

Because of dramatic tumor regressions reported with the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1) antibodies inhibiting the PD-1 immune checkpoint, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is now recognized as an immune-modifiable disease. As responses were observed in smaller numbers in phase I trials, the immunologic profiles and unique toxicities of these agents have not been fully established in NSCLC. Moreover, PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in development by different companies may demonstrate diverse spectrums of activity and toxicity. Although the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) checkpoint inhibitors in earlier phase studies appeared to have less impressive responses in NSCLC, their safety profile has been more broadly defined. The anti-CTLA-4 antibody, ipilimumab, has the best characterized immune-related toxicities (predominantly skin, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and endocrine) and management strategies in melanoma. Despite the lack of studies directly comparing these agents, toxicities from PD-1 inhibition seem milder than those of CTLA-4 inhibition, with distinct toxicities of pneumonitis infrequently observed with the BMS-936558 anti-PD-1 antibody, nivolumamb, and frequent mild infusion reactions reported with the BMS-936559 anti-PDL-1 antibody. As lungs are critical organs often already compromised in NSCLC patients, immune-mediated pneumonitis can cause worrisome morbidity and mortality. Even though immune checkpoint inhibitors are being rapidly developed in a multitude of trials, optimal immune-mediated toxicity management has not been determined, is evolving, and will be further explored. Early diagnosis and symptom management with corticosteroids form the basis of treatment. Assessment of new immune-response criteria and use of primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) will be important in the development of these immunotherapies in NSCLC.


2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith M. Kerr ◽  
Marianne C. Nicolson

Context Although most primary cancers of the lung carry a heavy mutational load and will potentially present many “nonself” antigens to the immune system, there are a wide range of possible mechanisms for tumors to avoid so-called immune surveillance. One such mechanism is the adoption of immune checkpoints to inhibit the host immune response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show great promise in the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer. Objective —To discuss the possibility of biomarker selection of patients for these therapies. This is becoming a much debated issue, and the immunohistochemical detection of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), the ligand for the inhibitory Programmed Death receptor 1 (PD-1) checkpoint, is one possible biomarker. Data so far available show some conflicting results, but PD-L1 immunohistochemistry looks likely to be introduced into clinical use for selecting patients for treatment with anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 therapies. Given that there are 4 such drugs rapidly approaching regulatory approval, each with its own independent PD-L1 immunohistochemistry biomarker test, both oncologists and pathologists face some significant challenges. Data Sources Peer-reviewed literature and meeting proceedings, especially during the last 12 months, were used. Conclusions —The biology of PD-1/PD-L1 is complex, the clinical data for these drugs show considerable variation, the selection performance of the PD-L1 biomarker test is not perfect, and the existence of 4 drug/test combinations adds significantly to the problems faced. This article addresses some of the background to this therapeutic problem and discusses some of the issues ahead.


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