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Deshpande V, Lee SH, Crabbe A, Pankaj A, Neyaz A, Ono Y, Rickelt S, Sonal S, Ferrone CR, Ting DT, Patil D, Yilmaz O, Berger D, Yilmaz O. Clinical, pathological, genetics and intratumoural immune milieu of micropapillary carcinoma of the colon. J Clin Pathol 2024; 77:387-393. [PMID: 37258254 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-208895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM Micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) is a recognised WHO variant of colonic carcinoma (CC), although little is known about its prognosis, immune microenvironment and molecular alterations. We investigated its clinical, pathological and immunological characteristics. METHODS We assessed 903 consecutive CCs and used the WHO definition to identify MPC. We recorded serrated and mucinous differentiation and mismatch repair (MMR) status. We performed immunohistochemistry and quantification on tissue microarrays for HLA class I/II proteins, beta-2-microglobulin (B2MG), CD8, CD163, LAG3, PD-L1, FoxP3, PD-L1and BRAF V600E. RESULTS We classified 8.6% (N=78) of CC as MPC. Relative to non-MPC, MPC was more often high grade (p=0.03) and showed serrated morphology (p<0.01); however, we found no association with extramural venous invasion (p=0.41) and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (p=0.95). MPCs showed lower numbers of CD8 positive lymphocytes (p<0.01), lower tumour cell B2MG expression (p=0.04) and lower tumour cell PD-L1 expression (p<0.01). There was no difference in HLA class I/II, LAG3, FOXP3, CD163 and PD-L1 positive histiocytes. There was no association with MMR status or BRAF V600E relative to non-MPC. MPC was not associated with decreased disease-specific survival (p=0.36). CONCLUSION MPCs are associated with high-grade differentiation and a less active immune microenvironment than non-MPC. MPC is not associated with inferior disease-specific survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Pathology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Crabbe
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amaya Pankaj
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Azfar Neyaz
- Department of Pathology, UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuho Ono
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steffen Rickelt
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Swati Sonal
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Depatment of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David T Ting
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deepa Patil
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Omer Yilmaz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Berger
- Depatment of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Osman Yilmaz
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Lea D, Zaharia C, Søreide K. Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) clone 22C3 expression in resected colorectal cancer as companion diagnostics for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: A comparison study and inter-rater agreement evaluation across proposed cut-offs and predictive (TPS, CPS and IC) scores. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2023; 38:100788. [PMID: 38150845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100788] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) guides the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in several cancers. In colorectal cancer (CRC), ICI are only approved for metastatic CRC, while several studies suggest high efficacy even in operable CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-rater agreement of PD-L1 as a companion diagnostic marker. METHODS Specimens from resected stage I-III CRC (n = 166 tumors) were stained with PD-L1 22C3 clone. PD-L1 expression was scored by two pathologists as tumor proportion score (TPS), combined positive score (CPS) and immune cell score (IC). Inter-rater agreement was tested using three different agreement coefficients. RESULTS Raw scores of the two pathologists had 'good' to 'excellent' correlation. Spearman's rho for TPS=0.917 (95 %CI 0.839-0.995), for CPS=0.776 (95 %CI 0.726-0.826) and IC=0.818 (95 %CI 0.761-0.875). For TPS, kappa (κ)-agreements for both the ≥1 % and ≥10 % cutoffs had excellent correlation. For CPS the ≥1 % and ≥10 % cutoffs demonstrated κ=0.32 (95 %CI 0.12-0.51) and κ=0.36 (95 %CI 0.25-0.48) respectively. Cutoffs for IC showed κ=0.53 (95 %CI 0.18-0.79) for the ≥1 % cutoff, and κ=0.61 (95 %CI 0.48-0.73) for the ≥10 % cutoff. Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC1) showed higher agreement coefficients than κ-values for most, but not all cut-offs. CONCLUSION Agreement for PD-L1 was good to excellent for raw scores. Agreement variation across several criteria and cut-offs suggests the need for more robust criteria for PD-L1 as a companion diagnostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dordi Lea
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Gastrointestinal Translational Research Group, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Claudia Zaharia
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Gastrointestinal Translational Research Group, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Group, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Möller K, Knöll M, Bady E, Schmerder MJ, Rico SD, Kluth M, Hube-Magg C, Blessin NC, Mandelkow T, Lennartz M, Menz A, Luebke AM, Höflmayer D, Fraune C, Bernreuther C, Lebok P, Uhlig R, Contreras H, Weidemann S, Gorbokon N, Jacobsen F, Clauditz TS, Steurer S, Burandt E, Minner S, Sauter G, Simon R, Marx AH, Krech T. PD-L1 expression and CD8 positive lymphocytes in human neoplasms: A tissue microarray study on 11,838 tumor samples. Cancer Biomark 2023; 36:177-191. [PMID: 36683495 PMCID: PMC9986704 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is the target of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies in a growing number of tumor types, but a unanimous picture on PD-L1 expression across cancer types is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed immunohistochemical PD-L1 expression in 11,838 samples from 118 human tumor types and its relationship with tumor infiltrating CD8 positive lymphocytes. RESULTS At a cut-off level of 10% positive tumor cells, PD-L1 positivity was seen in 85 of 118 (72%) tumor types, including thymoma (100% positive), Hodgkin's lymphoma (93%), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (76%), Kaposi sarcoma (71%), sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma (71%), and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (67%), cervix (65%), floor of the mouth (61%), the lung (53%), and pharynx (50%). In immune cells, PD-L1 positivity was detectable in 103 (87%) tumor types, including tumors of haematopoetic and lymphoid tissues (75% to 100%), Warthin tumors of the parotid glands (95%) and Merkel cell carcinoma (82%). PD-L1 positivity in tumor cells was significantly correlated with the number of intratumoral CD8 positive lymphocytes across all tumor types as well as in individual tumor types, including serous carcinoma of the ovary, invasive breast carcinoma of no special type, intestinal gastric adenocarcinoma, and liposarcoma (p< 0.0001 each). CONCLUSIONS PD-L1 expression in tumor and inflammatory cells is found in a wide range of human tumor types. Higher rates of tumor infiltrating CD8 positive lymphocytes in PD-L1 positive than in PD-L1 negative cancers suggest that the antitumor immune response may trigger tumoral PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Möller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Madeleine Knöll
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elena Bady
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Martina Kluth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Hube-Magg
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niclas C Blessin
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim Mandelkow
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Lennartz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Menz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas M Luebke
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Doris Höflmayer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Fraune
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Bernreuther
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Lebok
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ria Uhlig
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hendrina Contreras
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sören Weidemann
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Gorbokon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Jacobsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till S Clauditz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike Burandt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Minner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Academic Hospital Fuerth, Fuerth, Germany
| | - Till Krech
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Clinical Center Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany
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Immunological and Clinico-Molecular Features of Tumor Border Configuration in Colorectal Cancer. J Am Coll Surg 2023; 236:126-134. [PMID: 36519916 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infiltrating tumor border configuration (ITBC) portends a poor prognosis compared with pushing tumor border configuration (PTBC) in colorectal cancer. The tumor and its surrounding immune microenvironment of tumor border configuration is not well-characterized. We aim to elucidate the differences in expression of molecular markers between the 2 groups using tissue microarray (TMA). STUDY DESIGN Immunohistochemistry was performed on TMAs of surgical pathology specimens obtained from colorectal cancer patients consecutively operated at our institution from 2004 to 2015. TMAs were stained for immune cells (CD8, FOXP3, LAG3, PU1, CD163, and PDL1); HLA II, beta 2 microglobulin, and HC10 on tumor cells; BRAFV600E mutation; and DNA mismatch repair proteins (MMR) status. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. RESULTS There were 646 tumors with ITBC and 310 tumors with PTBC. There was a significantly lower expression (p < 0.05) of immune components, namely CD8, FOXP3, LAG3, PU1, PDL1 immune cells, and Beta-2 Microglobulin on tumor cells in the tumors with ITBC compared with PTBC, except CD163 immune cells, and HC10 and HLAII on tumor cells. Tumors with ITBC were less likely to be associated with BRAFV600E mutations and deficient MMR proteins (p < 0.001). On analyzing MMR-proficient tumors separately, we could not find any difference in the expression of any molecular marker (including BRAF), except a lower expression of PDL1 immune cells in tumors with ITBC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Colorectal tumors with ITBC are associated with a generalized low immune microenvironment and low rates of BRAFV600E mutation compared with tumors with PTBC. However, the molecular expression of tumor border configuration seems confounded by the MMR molecular signature. MMR-proficient colorectal tumors with ITBC are associated with a lower expression of only PDL1 immune cells among all immune markers examined.
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Loss of SATB2 expression correlates with cytokeratin 7 and PD-L1 tumor cell positivity and aggressiveness in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19152. [PMID: 36351995 PMCID: PMC9646713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22685-0] [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: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. To improve treatment, new biomarkers are needed to allow better patient risk stratification in terms of prognosis. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic significance of colonic-specific transcription factor special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2), cytoskeletal protein cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and immune checkpoint molecule programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). We analyzed a cohort of 285 patients with surgically treated CRC for quantitative associations among the three markers and five traditional prognostic indicators (i.e., tumor stage, histological grade, variant morphology, laterality, and mismatch-repair/MMR status). The results showed that loss of SATB2 expression had significant negative prognostic implications relative to overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), significantly shortened 5 years OS and CSS and 10 years CSS in patients with CRC expressing CK7, and borderline insignificantly shortened OS in patients with PD-L1 + CRC. PD-L1 showed a significant negative impact in cases with strong expression (membranous staining in 50-100% of tumor cells). Loss of SATB2 was associated with CK7 expression, advanced tumor stage, mucinous or signet ring cell morphology, high grade, right-sided localization but was borderline insignificant relative to PD-L1 expression. CK7 expression was associated with high grade and SATB2 loss. Additionally, a separate analysis of 248 neoadjuvant therapy-naïve cases was performed with mostly similar results. The loss of SATB2 and CK7 expression were significant negative predictors in the multivariate analysis adjusted for associated parameters and patient age. In summary, loss of SATB2 expression and gain of CK7 and strong PD-L1 expression characterize an aggressive phenotype of CRC.
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Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the immune compartment of colon carcinoma. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1740-1748. [PMID: 35773332 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells is a significant prognostic biomarker for a number of malignancies, although less is known about the significance of PD-L1 positive immune cells in colon carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of PD-L1 in a large cohort of colon carcinomas to identify patterns of PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment and its correlation with other key immune subsets to better understand the impact of these immune cells. We assessed 1218 colon carcinomas on representative tissue microarray sections, gathered relevant clinicopathologic information, and performed immunohistochemical staining for mismatch repair proteins, CD8, CD163, LAG3, PD-L1, FoxP3, and BRAF V600E. We then performed automated quantification; manual quantification was used for PD-L1 tumor cells and immune cells. Dual PD-L1/PU.1 immunostain was also performed. The majority of PD-L1 positive cells expressed PU.1 thus representing tumor-associated macrophages. Based on the median number of PD-L1 positive immune cells (7.6/mm2), we classified tumors into two classes: (1) PD-L1 immune cell low and (2) PD-L1 immune cell high. PD-L1 immune cell high colon carcinomas showed favorable prognostic pathologic features including less frequent extramural venous invasion (p = 0.0001) and lower AJCC stage (p = 0.0001); they were also more commonly associated with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) (p = 0.0001) and BRAF V600E reactivity. PD-LI immune cell high tumors were associated with high CD8, CD163, and FoxP3 positive cells (p = 0.0001, respectively). PD-L1 immune cell high and LAG3 high colon carcinomas were associated with improved disease-specific survival (p = 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). PD-L1 expression on tumor cells was not associated with disease-specific survival. On multivariate analysis of chemotherapy naïve stage 2 colon carcinomas, only extramural venous invasion (p = 0.002), perineural invasion (p = 0.001) and PD-L1 immune cell expression (p = 0.032) correlated with disease-specific survival. Resected colonic carcinomas with high expression of PD-L1 and LAG3 proteins on immune cells were associated with improved prognosis in colon carcinoma. The mechanism underlying the improved prognosis of colon carcinomas bearing high numbers of immunoregulatory cells needs further investigation.
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Sonal S, Deshpande V, Ting DT, Cusack JC, Parikh AR, Neyaz A, Pankaj A, Taylor MS, Dinaux AM, Leijssen LGJ, Boudreau C, Locascio JJ, Kunitake H, Goldstone RN, Bordeianou LG, Cauley CE, Ricciardi R, Berger DL. Molecular Basis of Extramural Vascular Invasion (EMVI) in Colorectal Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:7372-7382. [PMID: 35917013 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-12212-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) is a known poor prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma; however, its molecular basis has not been defined. This study aimed to assess the expression of molecular markers in EMVI positive colorectal carcinoma to understand their tumor microenvironment. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarrays of surgically resected colorectal cancer specimens for immunological markers, and BRAFV600E mutation (and on the tissue blocks for mismatch repair proteins). Automated quantification was used for CD8, LAG3, FOXP3, PU1, and CD163, and manual quantification was used for PDL1, HLA I markers (beta-2 microglobulin, HC10), and HLA II. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare EMVI positive and negative tumors. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess the predictive effect of biomarkers on EMVI. RESULTS There were 340 EMVI positive and 678 EMVI negative chemo naïve tumors. PDL1 was barely expressed on tumor cells (median 0) in the entire cohort. We found a significantly lower expression of CD8, LAG3, FOXP3, PU1 cells, PDL1 positive macrophages, and beta-2 microglobulin on tumor cells in the EMVI positive subset (p ≤ 0.001). There was no association of BRAFV600E or deficient mismatch repair proteins (dMMR) with EMVI. PU1 (OR 0.8, 0.7-0.9) and low PDL1 (OR 1.6, 1.1-2.3) independently predicted EMVI on multivariate logistic regression among all biomarkers examined. CONCLUSION There is a generalized blunting of immune response in EMVI positive colorectal carcinoma, which may contribute to a worse prognosis. Tumor-associated macrophages seem to play the most significant role in determining EMVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sonal
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David T Ting
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James C Cusack
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aparna R Parikh
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Azfar Neyaz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amaya Pankaj
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin S Taylor
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne M Dinaux
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Chirurgie, Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieve G J Leijssen
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdams University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chloe Boudreau
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph J Locascio
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroko Kunitake
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert N Goldstone
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liliana G Bordeianou
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christy E Cauley
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rocco Ricciardi
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David L Berger
- Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Damato A, Rotolo M, Caputo F, Borghi E, Iachetta F, Pinto C. New Potential Immune Biomarkers in the Era of Precision Medicine: Lights and Shadows in Colorectal Cancer. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1137. [PMID: 36013315 PMCID: PMC9410155 DOI: 10.3390/life12081137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations in CRC have shown a negative predictive and prognostic role in specific target therapies. The onset of immunotherapy has also undergone remarkable therapeutic innovation, although limited to a small subgroup of patients, the MSI-H/dMMR, which represents only 5% of CRC. Research is moving forward to identify whether other biomarkers can predict response to ICIs, despite various limitations regarding expression and identification methods. For this purpose, TMB, LAG3, and PD-L1 expression have been retrospectively evaluated in several solid tumors establishing the rationale to design clinical trials with concurrent inhibition of LAG3 and PD-1 results in a significant advantage in PFS and OS in advanced melanoma patients. Based on these data, there are clinical trials ongoing in the CRC as well. This review aims to highlight what is already known about genetic mutations and genomic alterations in CRC, their inhibition with targeted therapies and immune checkpoints inhibitors, and new findings useful to future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Damato
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Azienda USL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (M.R.); (F.C.); (E.B.); (F.I.); (C.P.)
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Immune Profile of BRAF-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Tumors with Good Prognosis after Palliative Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102383. [PMID: 35625987 PMCID: PMC9139363 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: BRAF-mutated colorectal cancers (BRAF-MT CRCs) are known to have poor prognoses. BRAF-MT CRC was reported to be possibly related to the immune-activated phenotype. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the immune microenvironment and prognosis of BRAF-MT CRC. Methods: We evaluated clinical outcomes and investigated the immune profile of the BRAF-MT CRC tumors using the multiplex immunohistochemistry of immune-related markers: cytokeratin, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and a cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8). Results: Out of 2313 tumors, 123 were BRAF-MT tumors. Among them, 86 tumors with available tissue were included. Out of 86 patients, 75 patients were non-good responders (GR), whereas 11 patients were GR. Median progression-free survival after first-line chemotherapy (4.6 vs. 12.4 months, p = 0.008) and overall survival (11.8 vs. 45.0 months) were longer in the GR group (p < 0.001). Median CD8+ T cell (254.29 vs. 656.0, p = 0.092), PD-L1+ tumor cell (0.95 vs.15.56, p = 0.050), PD-L1+ stromal cell (3.17 vs. 72.38, p = 0.025), PD-L1+ tumor and stromal cell (5.08 vs. 74.92, p = 0.032), and PD-1+ stromal cell (45.08 vs. 325.40, p = 0.046) counts were greater in the GR group. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of unselected patients with BRAF-MT CRC were generally similar to those in previous studies. Based on the immune profile analysis, higher PD-L1 expression and CD8-positive cell infiltration were observed in BRAF-MT tumors with a good prognosis.
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The clinical and prognostic significance of CMTM6/PD-L1 in oncology. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1478-1491. [PMID: 35278198 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02811-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The recent discovery of CMTM6 and to a lesser extent CMTM4, two members of the chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family, as master positive regulators of PD-L1 expression, the primary ligand of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), on tumor and immune cells has opened new horizons for investigating the role of CMTM6/CMTM4 in different aspects of oncology including their clinical and prognostic values in different cancer types. The absence of a specific review article addressing the available results about the clinical and prognostic roles of CMTM6 alone and/or in combination with PD-L1 in cancer has encouraged us to write this paper.
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Kuo YT, Liao CK, Chen TC, Lai CC, Chiang SF, Chiang JM. A high density of PD-L1-expressing immune cells is significantly correlated with favorable disease free survival in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28573. [PMID: 35060518 PMCID: PMC8772683 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of immune cells (ICs) expressing various markers remains poorly understood in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer patients who have undergone colectomy. Here, we aimed to clarify the correlation between IC density and clinical parameters and survival.Programmed death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1), clusters of differentiation (CD)-3, CD-8, and CD45RO immunostaining was performed for 421 patients using tissue microarray and automatic counting. Tumor stroma area immune density was assessed in comparison to clinical histological factors and surgical outcomes.High-density CD-8 expression was significantly associated with current smoking habits or a smoking history (P = .006). High-density of PD-1 expression was correlated with Lynch syndrome patients (P < .001) and with patients who did not consume alcohol (P = .034). A significant decrease in CR45RO expression density was associated with aging (P = .002 and r = -0.014), and high-density CD-3, CD-8, and PD-1 expression was significantly associated with right colon tumor location (P < .001). High CD-3 and PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with early tumor T-staging (P = .018 and P = .002). High-density PD-1 expression was significantly correlated with mucinous type adenocarcinoma (P = .027) and poor differentiation (P < .001). For treatment outcomes, multivariate analysis confirmed that patients exhibiting high-density PD-L1 expression possessed significantly longer disease free survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.752, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.92, P = .006) and overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.872, 95% CI: 0.75-1.91, P = .064)Significantly varied density in IC subsets was related to distinct demographic or clinic-histological factors. The presence of high-density PD-L1-expressing ICs is an independent favorable prognostic factor for disease free survival and overall survival among stage I to III colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Kuo
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Kai Liao
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tse-ching Chen
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chou Lai
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sum-Fu Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jy-Ming Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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12
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Möller K, Blessin NC, Höflmayer D, Büscheck F, Luebke AM, Kluth M, Hube-Magg C, Zalewski K, Hinsch A, Neipp M, Mofid H, Lárusson H, Daniels T, Isbert C, Coerper S, Ditterich D, Rupprecht H, Goetz A, Bernreuther C, Sauter G, Uhlig R, Wilczak W, Simon R, Steurer S, Minner S, Burandt E, Krech T, Perez D, Izbicki JR, Clauditz TS, Marx AH. High density of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes is linked to tumoral PD-L1 expression regardless of the mismatch repair status in colorectal cancer. Acta Oncol 2021; 60:1210-1217. [PMID: 34092167 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2021.1933585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint-inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 system are FDA approved in microsatellite instable (MSI) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). PD-L1 expression is tightly linked to features connected to immune checkpoint inhibitor response, but studies on large subsets of cancers analyzing the correlation between different status of MSI/dMMR, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression are still lacking. METHODS More than 1800 CRC were analyzed for PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray format. Data were compared to MMR, the number of intratumoral CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells, and adverse clinico-pathological parameters. Different cutoff levels for defining PD-L1 positivity in tumor cells (1%, 5%, 10%, and 50%) yielded comparable results. RESULTS At a cutoff level of 5%, PD-L1 positivity was seen in 5.1% of tumors. PD-L1 was more often positive in dMMR (18.6%) than in MMR proficient (pMMR) cancers (4.1%; p < 0.0001). The number of intratumoral CD8+ lymphocytes was strikingly higher in PD-L1 positive (939.5 ± 118.2) than in PD-L1 negative cancers (310.5 ± 24.8). A higher number of intratumoral CD8+ lymphocytes was found in dMMR CRC (PD-L1 positive: 1999.7 ± 322.0; PD-L1 negative: 398.6 ± 128.0; p < 0.0001) compared to pMMR CRC (PD-L1 positive: 793.2 ± 124.8; PD-L1 negative: 297.2 ± 24.2; p < 0.0001). In dMMR and pMMR CRC, PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was unrelated to tumor stage, lymph node status or lymphatic/venous invasion. PD-L1 positivity in tumor associated immune cells was seen in 47.5% of cases and was significantly linked to high numbers of tumor infiltrating CD8+, low tumor stage, and absence of lymph node metastasis and lymphatic/venous invasion (p < 0.0001 each). CONCLUSION The data support the previously suggested fact that PD-L1 expression in tumor cells is driven by extensive cytotoxic T-cell infiltration in highly immunogenic dMMR and pMMR CRC. Frequent and intense PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of dMMR CRC may contribute to the high response rates of dMMR CRC to immune checkpoint-inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Möller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niclas C. Blessin
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Doris Höflmayer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Büscheck
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Luebke
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martina Kluth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Hube-Magg
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Zalewski
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Hinsch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Neipp
- General, Vascular and Visceral Surgery Clinic, Itzehoe Medical Center, Itzehoe, Germany
| | - Hamid Mofid
- General, Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Clinic, Regio Clinic Pinneberg, Pinneberg, Germany
| | - Hannes Lárusson
- General, Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Clinic, Regio Clinic Pinneberg, Pinneberg, Germany
| | - Thies Daniels
- General, Visceral and Tumor Surgery Clinic, Albertinen Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Isbert
- Department of General, Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery, Amalie Sieveking Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Coerper
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital Martha-Maria Hospital Nuernberg, Nuernberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Ditterich
- Departement of Surgery, General Hospital Neustadt/Aisch, Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany
| | - Holger Rupprecht
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Academic Hospital Neumarkt, Neumarkt/Oberpfalz, Germany
| | - Albert Goetz
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital Roth, Roth, Germany
| | - Christian Bernreuther
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ria Uhlig
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Waldemar Wilczak
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Minner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike Burandt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till Krech
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Clinical Center Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Daniel Perez
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jakob R. Izbicki
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till S. Clauditz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas H. Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pathology, Academic Hospital Fuerth, Fuerth, Germany
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13
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Yuan W, Deng D, Li H, Hu X, Shang X, Hou X, Jiang H, He H. IFNγ/PD-L1 Signaling Improves the Responsiveness of Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: An in vitro Study. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:3051-3062. [PMID: 33994797 PMCID: PMC8114827 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s294136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) can be upregulated in cancer cells via interferon gamma (IFNγ) in the tumor microenvironment. IFNγ/PD-L1 signaling is associated with the response to immune checkpoint blockade in melanoma patients. Our previous investigation indicated that the microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cell line might exhibit selective hyperresponsiveness to IFNγ treatment, which contributes to increased PD-L1 expression and may be a mechanism of response to anti-PD-1 therapy in colorectal cancer. Methods The present study evaluated the expression of PD-L1 in a set of MSI and microsatellite stability (MSS) cell lines with IFNγ treatment. The differential signaling molecules associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) contributing to hyperresponsiveness to IFNγ exposure were also investigated. Furthermore, we established a coculture assay containing CT26 cells with higher expression of PD-L1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. Changes in cancer cell viability as well as apoptosis status in response to anti-PD-1 therapy were demonstrated. We further observed changes in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes after PD-1 immunotherapy in the coculture assay. Finally, the average extent of inflammation and adaptive immunity factors in the assay was also investigated. Results This in vitro study revealed that the MSI cell line might exhibit hyperresponsiveness to IFNγ exposure, and IFNγ induced upregulation of PD-L1 mainly through increased STAT1 and decreased STAT3 signaling. IFNγ/PD-L1 signaling participated in the response to anti-PD-1 therapy mainly through the CTL profile. Discussion Our findings reinforce previous knowledge of the fact that the response to immune checkpoint blockade occurs mainly in patients with a preexisting intratumoral IFNγ/PD-L1 signal, thus suggesting potential therapeutic strategies to enhance responsiveness to PD-1 blockade immunotherapy in most patients with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Deyao Deng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinghui Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueqin Shang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Hou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchao Jiang
- Institute of Pediatrics, The Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchun He
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, The Second Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
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14
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Peng QH, Wang CH, Chen HM, Zhang RX, Pan ZZ, Lu ZH, Wang GY, Yue X, Huang W, Liu RY. CMTM6 and PD-L1 coexpression is associated with an active immune microenvironment and a favorable prognosis in colorectal cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001638. [PMID: 33579737 PMCID: PMC7883863 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 6 (CMTM6), a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) regulator, is widely expressed in various tumors and regulates the immune microenvironment. However, its prognostic value remains controversial, and the roles of CMTM6 in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to elaborate the expression patterns of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in CRC and investigate their relationship with the infiltration of T cells and the prognosis of patients with CRC. Methods Analysis of CMTM6 mRNA levels, gene ontology enrichment analysis and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis were performed in a The Cancer Genome Atlas colon cancer cohort. The expression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 and the infiltration of T cells in tumor tissues from our cohort containing 156 patients with CRC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 77 patients with CRC without chemotherapy were examined by immunohistochemistry
assay. Results CMTM6 expression was upregulated in CRC compared with normal colon tissues, and CMTM6 levels were lower in advanced tumors than in early-stage tumors. High expression of CMTM6 correlated with lower pT stage and more CD4+/CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and predicted
a favorable prognosis in CRC. PD-L1 was expressed in CRC tissues at a low level, and PD-L1 positivity in tumor stroma (PD-L1(TS)), but not PD-L1 positivity in cancer cells (PD-L1(CC)), was associated with an increased density of CD4+ TILs and a favorable prognosis. The coexpression status of CMTM6 and PD-L1(TS) divided patients with CRC into three groups with low, moderate and high risks of progression and death, and patients with CMTM6High/PD-L1(TS)+ status had the longest survival. Moreover, the prognostic value of CMTM6/PD-L1 expression was more significant in patients with CRC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy than in those not treated with chemotherapy. Conclusion CMTM6 has a critical impact on the immune microenvironment and can be used as an independent prognostic factor for CRC. The coexpression status of CMTM6 and PD-L1 can be used as a new classification to stratify the risk of progression and death for patients with CRC, especially for patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings may provide insights into improving responses to immunotherapy-included comprehensive treatment for CRC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Hua Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chun-Hua Wang
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rong-Xin Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Zhong Pan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen-Hai Lu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gao-Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenlin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ran-Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China & Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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15
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Alexander PG, McMillan DC, Park JH. A meta-analysis of CD274 (PD-L1) assessment and prognosis in colorectal cancer and its role in predicting response to anti-PD-1 therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 157:103147. [PMID: 33278675 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors are novel therapeutic agents in colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunohistochemical staining for CD274 assessment is standardised in upper GI cancer, but not in CRC. METHODS Methodologies of relevant studies were scrutinized and meta-analysis of survival and CD274/PDCD1 performed. Furthermore, anti-PD-1 therapy clinical trial results in CRC were assessed with particular emphasis on CD274 assessment. RESULTS 24 studies were included. CD274 on immune cells was associated with good prognosis. CD274 on tumour cells has heterogenous outcomes and does not meet requirements of a prognostic marker. As a marker of response to anti-PD-1 therapy, CD274 assessment is not standardised in CRC. CONCLUSION CD274 does not appear useful as a prognostic marker. As a marker of response to anti-PD-1 therapy, assessment methodology requires standardisation. As the Combined Positive Score (CPS) is used in upper GI cancer, this seems a logical method to adopt. Thresholds for CRC remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James H Park
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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16
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Bae JM, Yoo SY, Kim JH, Kang GH. Immune landscape and biomarkers for immuno-oncology in colorectal cancers. J Pathol Transl Med 2020; 54:351-360. [PMID: 32580539 PMCID: PMC7483026 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2020.05.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in immuno-oncology have increased understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and clinical trials for immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment have shown remission and/or durable response in certain proportions of patients stratified by predictive biomarkers. The TIME in colorectal cancer (CRC) was initially evaluated several decades ago. The prognostic value of the immune response to tumors, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, peritumoral lymphoid reaction, and Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction, has been well demonstrated. In this review, we describe the chronology of TIME research and review the up-to-date high-dimensional TIME landscape of CRC. We also summarize the clinical relevance of several biomarkers associated with immunotherapy in CRC, such as microsatellite instability, tumor mutational burden, POLE/POLD mutation, consensus molecular subtype, and programmed death-ligand 1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Yeon Yoo
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Ho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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17
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Watson MM, Lea D, Gudlaugsson E, Skaland I, Hagland HR, Søreide K. Prevalence of PD-L1 expression is associated with EMAST, density of peritumoral T-cells and recurrence-free survival in operable non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1627-1637. [PMID: 32314040 PMCID: PMC7347699 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Microsatellite instability (MSI) predict response to anti-PD1 immunotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). CRCs with MSI have higher infiltration of immune cells related to a better survival. Elevated Microsatellite Alterations at Tetranucleotides (EMAST) is a form of MSI but its association with PD-L1 expression and immune-cell infiltration is not known. METHODS A consecutive, observational cohort of patients undergoing surgery for CRC. EMAST and clinicopathological characteristics were investigated against PD-L1, as well as CD3 and CD8 expression in the invasive margin or tumour centre (Immunoscore). Difference in survival between groups was assessed by log rank test. RESULTS A total of 149 stage I-III CRCs patients, with a median follow up of 60.1 months. Patients with PD-L1+ tumours (7%) were older (median 79 vs 71 years, p = 0.045) and had EMAST+ cancers (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.2-51.4, p = 0.001). Recurrence-free survival was longer in cancers with PD-L1+ immune cells (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.76, p = 0.008, independent of EMAST) and high Immunoscore (HR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.72, p = 0.022). Patients expressing PD-L1 in immune cells had longer disease-specific survival (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.77, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS Higher Immunoscore (CD3/CD8 cells) and expression of tumour PD-L1 is found in CRCs with EMAST. Lymphocytic infiltrate and peritumoral PD-L1 expression have prognostic value in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Watson
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dordi Lea
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Einar Gudlaugsson
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Ivar Skaland
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Hanne R Hagland
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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18
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Immune classification for the PD-L1 expression and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in colorectal adenocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:58. [PMID: 31992245 PMCID: PMC6986059 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the third most common cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death. The recent emergence of diverse immunotherapeutic agents has made it crucial to interpret a complex tumour microenvironment intermingled with tumour-infiltrating immune cells to predict the immunotherapeutic response rate. However, in colorectal adenocarcinoma, studies are lacking that provide detailed analyses of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to elucidate their prognostic values and to identify immunotherapy-targetable subgroups, preferably with multiple immune-related biomarkers. In the present study, we categorize colorectal adenocarcinomas into four types of tumour immune microenvironments according to PD-L1 expression and TIL, analyse their prognostic values, and propose an immunotherapy-targetable subgroup. Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of surgically resected primary colorectal adenocarcinomas (n = 489) were obtained and arrayed on tissue microarray blocks. Immunohistochemical stains for PD-L1, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8), and deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) were performed and evaluated. Results Tumour microenvironment immune type (TMIT) I (PD-L1-positive tumour cells and CD8-high TIL) and type II (PD-L1-negative tumour cells and CD8-low TIL) showed the best and worst prognoses, respectively. PD-L1 overexpression was significantly associated with dMMR status. PD-L1 immunoreactivity was positively correlated with TIL having CD8 or PD-1 overexpression. Conclusions TMIT I subgroup showed stronger CD8/PD-L1/PD-1 signalling interaction compared to the other TMIT. Therefore, we propose that the TMIT I subgroup is a candidate TMIT to predict effective response rate for existing immune checkpoint inhibitors and determine targetable subgroups for emerging therapies.
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19
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Matsuoka T, Yashiro M. Precision medicine for gastrointestinal cancer: Recent progress and future perspective. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 12:1-20. [PMID: 31966910 PMCID: PMC6960076 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v12.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer has a high tumor incidence and mortality rate worldwide. Despite significant improvements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy for GI cancer over the last decade, GI cancer is characterized by high recurrence rates and a dismal prognosis. There is an urgent need for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Recent technological advances and the accumulation of clinical data are moving toward the use of precision medicine in GI cancer. Here we review the application and status of precision medicine in GI cancer. Analyses of liquid biopsy specimens provide comprehensive real-time data of the tumor-associated changes in an individual GI cancer patient with malignancy. With the introduction of gene panels including next-generation sequencing, it has become possible to identify a variety of mutations and genetic biomarkers in GI cancer. Although the genomic aberration of GI cancer is apparently less actionable compared to other solid tumors, novel informative analyses derived from comprehensive gene profiling may lead to the discovery of precise molecular targeted drugs. These progressions will make it feasible to incorporate clinical, genome-based, and phenotype-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and apply them to individual GI cancer patients for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Matsuoka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 5458585, Japan
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 5458585, Japan
- Oncology Institute of Geriatrics and Medical Science, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 5458585, Japan
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20
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Intratumoral Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Density and PD-L1 Expression Are Prognostic Biomarkers for Patients with Colorectal Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55110723. [PMID: 31683723 PMCID: PMC6915478 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55110723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated inflammatory response to tumors plays a crucial role in preventing the progression of some cancers. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a cell-surface glycoprotein, has been reported to repress T-cell-mediated immune responses against tumors. However, the clinical significance of PD-L1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Our aim was to elucidate the prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression and CD8+ CTL density in CRC. Materials and methods: CD8 and PD-L1 immunostaining was conducted on 157 pathologic specimens from patients with CRC. The CD8+ CTL density and PD-L1 expression within the tumor microenvironment were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Tumor invasion (pT) was significantly correlated with intratumoral (p = 0.011) and peritumoral (p = 0.016) CD8+ CTLs density in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, there was a significant difference in the intensity of CD8+ CTLs between patients with and without distant metastases (intratumoral p = 0.007; peritumoral p = 0.037, T-test). Lymph node metastasis (pN) and TNM stage were significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression in CRC cells (p = 0.015, p = 0.029, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the intratumoral CD8+ CTL density and disease-free survival (DFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–4.23; p = 0.043). The DFS was considerably shorter in patients with a high expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells than those with a low expression (univariate HR 2.55; 95% CI 1.50–4.34; p = 0.001; multivariate HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.28–0.82; p = 0.007). Conversely, patients with high PD-L1 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes had a longer DFS in both univariate analysis (HR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14–0.44; p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (HR 3.42; 95% CI: 1.95–6.01; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CD8+ CTL density and PD-L1 expression are prognostic biomarkers for the survival of patients with CRC.
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