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Santoro A, Angelico G, Inzani F, Arciuolo D, d'Amati A, Addante F, Travaglino A, Scaglione G, D'Alessandris N, Valente M, Tinnirello G, Raffone A, Narducci N, Piermattei A, Cianfrini F, Bragantini E, Zannoni GF. The emerging and challenging role of PD-L1 in patients with gynecological cancers: An updating review with clinico-pathological considerations. Gynecol Oncol 2024; 184:57-66. [PMID: 38295614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Over recent years, there has been significant progress in the development of immunotherapeutic molecules designed to block the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. These molecules have demonstrated their ability to enhance the immune response by prompting T cells to identify and suppress neoplastic cells. PD-L1 is a type 1 transmembrane protein ligand expressed on T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and antigen-presenting cells and is considered a key inhibitory checkpoint involved in cancer immune regulation. PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression in gynecological malignancies is extremely variable based on tumor stage and molecular subtypes. As a result, a class of monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1 receptor and PD-L1, known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, has found successful application in clinical settings. In clinical practice, the standard method for identifying suitable candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy involves immunohistochemical assessment of PD-L1 expression in neoplastic tissues. The most commonly used PD-L1 assays in clinical trials are SP142, 28-8, 22C3, and SP263, each of which has been rigorously validated on specific platforms. Gynecologic cancers encompass a wide spectrum of malignancies originating from the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vulva. These neoplasms have shown variable response to immunotherapy which appears to be influenced by genetic and protein expression profiles, including factors such as mismatch repair status, tumor mutational burden, and checkpoint ligand expression. In the present paper, an extensive review of PD-L1 expression in various gynecologic cancer types is discussed, providing a guide for their pathological assessment and reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Santoro
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy; Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Angelico
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Frediano Inzani
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Damiano Arciuolo
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio d'Amati
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Addante
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Travaglino
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giulia Scaglione
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Nicoletta D'Alessandris
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Michele Valente
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giordana Tinnirello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Raffone
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nadine Narducci
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Piermattei
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Cianfrini
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Emma Bragantini
- Department of Pathology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Gian Franco Zannoni
- Unità Operativa Complessa Anatomia Patologica Generale, Dipartimento di scienze della salute della donna, del bambino e di sanità pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy; Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy.
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Giannella L, Di Giuseppe J, Delli Carpini G, Grelloni C, Fichera M, Sartini G, Caimmi S, Natalini L, Ciavattini A. HPV-Negative Adenocarcinomas of the Uterine Cervix: From Molecular Characterization to Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315022. [PMID: 36499345 PMCID: PMC9735497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. It is the leading cause of female deaths in developing countries. Most of these cervical neoplasms are represented by squamous lesions. Cervical adenocarcinoma causes about a quarter of cervical cancers. In contrast to squamous lesions, cervical glandular disease is HPV-negative in about 15-20% of cases. HPV-negative cervical adenocarcinomas typically present in advanced stages at clinical evaluation, resulting in a poorer prognosis. The overall and disease-free survival of glandular lesions is lower than that of squamous lesions. Treatment options require definitive treatments, as fertility-sparing is not recommended. Moreover, the impact of HPV vaccination and primary HPV screening is likely to affect these lesions less; hence, the interest in this challenging topic for clinical practice. An updated review focusing on clinical and molecular characterization, prognostic factors, and therapeutic options may be helpful for properly managing such cervical lesions.
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Du X, Hu Y, Ji X, Sui L, Zheng Q, Song K, Lv T, Chen Y, Zhao H, Dai S, Zhao P, Yao Q. Membranous and nuclear staining of CLDN18 in HPV-independent and HPV-associated endocervical adenocarcinomas. Cancer Med 2022; 12:1441-1450. [PMID: 35861118 PMCID: PMC9883430 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A classification system for endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) based on high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) status has been established; however, the immunohistochemical markers distinguishing HPV-independent and HPV-associated ECAs have not been fully described. Here, we aimed to characterize ECA immunopathological features. METHODS We evaluated the immunohistochemical profile of CLDN18, CDX2, PAX8, p16, p53, and CEA in 60 ECAs comprising 10 HPV-independent ECAs and 50 HPV-associated ECAs. Both the membranous and nuclear expression levels of CLDN18 were analyzed. RESULTS Membranous CLDN18 (CLDN18 [M]) was found to be expressed in the mucinous epithelium of all HPV-independent ECAs, including eight gastric-type ECAs (G-ECAs), one endometrioid ECA, and one clear cell ECA, but no nuclear CLDN18 (CLDN18 [N]) expression was detected in HPV-independent ECAs. Among HPV-associated ECAs, CLDN18 (M) expression levels in intestinal-type (I-ECAs) and usual-type ECAs (U-ECAs) were significantly different from those in invasive stratified mucin-producing (iSMILE) carcinomas (p = 0.036). Positive CLDN18 (M) staining was present in 55.6% (5/9) of intestinal-type and 39.4% (13/33) of usual-type ECAs and was not present in iSMILE ECAs. Silva pattern C cancers expressed higher levels of CLDN18 (M) than Silva pattern A and B cancers (p = 0.004), whereas the CLDN18 (N) expression levels in cancers showing Silva pattern A were significantly higher than those in cancers exhibiting Silva patterns B and C (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Membranous CLDN18 is expressed in ECAs and is particularly frequently expressed in HPV-independent ECAs, and membranous CLDN18 expression has potential as a therapeutic target. Nuclear staining of CLDN18 is a new immunohistochemical marker for diagnosing Silva pattern A HPV-associated ECAs and is associated with a good prognosis. Further studies should investigate the therapeutic and prognostic significance of membranous and nuclear CLDN18 expression and develop a related test that can be implemented in the clinical evaluation of ECAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhen Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Yanjiao Hu
- Department of PathologyThe affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Lei Sui
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Qingmei Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Kejuan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Teng Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Yulong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Han Zhao
- Department of PathologyThe affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Shuzhen Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of PathologyThe affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Qin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
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