Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is associated with poor prognosis

The prognostic value of CD8+ CTLs, CD163+ TAMs, and PDL1 expression in the tumor microenvironment of primary central nervous system lymphoma

To explore immune cell infiltration and PDL1 expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), we performed immunohistochemical staining on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 34 patients diagnosed with PCNSL. CD8 and CD163 positive cells were manually counted, and PDL1 expression was quantified by the H-score scoring method in the tumor center and around the tumor. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the prognostic value of the TME. We found obvious infiltration of CD8+ CTLs and CD163+ TAMs in the TME of PCNSL patients. And PDL1 was expressed in the tumor center as well as around the tumor. Survival analysis showed that high CD8+ CTLs levels and high intratumoral PDL1 expression were significantly correlated with longer OS. High CD8+ CTLs and CD163+ TAMs levels were associated with longer PFS.

Correlation Between ImageJ and Conventional Manual Scoring Methods for Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immuno-Histochemically Stained Sections

Background: One of the most frequently used methods for quantifying PD-L1 (programmed cell death-ligand 1) expression in tumor tissue is IHC (immunohistochemistry). This may predict the patient's response to anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy in cancer. Methods: ImageJ software was used to score IHC-stained sections for PD-L1 and compare the results with the conventional manual method. Results: In diffuse large B cell lymphoma, no significant difference between the scores obtained by the conventional method and ImageJ scores obtained using the option "RGB" or "Brightness/Contrast." On the other hand, a significant difference was found between the conventional and HSB scoring methods. ImageJ faced some challenges in analyzing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues because of tissue heterogenicity. A significant difference was found between the conventional and ImageJ scores using HSB or RGB but not with the "Brightness/Contrast" option. Scores obtained by ImageJ analysis after taking images using 20 × objective lens gave significantly higher readings compared to 40 × magnification. A significant difference between camera-captured images' scores and scanner whole slide images' scores was observed. Conclusion: ImageJ can be used to score homogeneous tissues. In the case of highly heterogeneous tissues, it is advised to use the conventional method rather than ImageJ scoring.