Heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with systemic or intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Br J Cancer. 2021 Feb;124(3):564-566. doi: 10.1038/s41416-020-01130-x. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Abstract

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been described in patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM), but treatment strategies utilising immune checkpoint inhibition are yet to be defined. Here, we examine levels of PD-L1 expression in MPM patients treated with systemic and/or intraperitoneal chemotherapy using tissue from patient tumour biopsies or resections at multiple time points. We found the mean PD-L1 expression was higher in those with a germline mutation and/or those with a higher somatic mutation burden. Moreover, PD-L1 expression was lower in patients who had received prior chemotherapy as compared to the treatment-naive cohort. Twenty patients who received chemotherapy, either systemic and/or peritoneal, between PD-L1 measurements showed marked heterogeneity. Six (30%) patients demonstrated upregulation of PD-L1, while eight (40%) demonstrated downregulation. Heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression in MPM before and after cytotoxic therapies may present an additional consideration when initiating immune checkpoint inhibition in this rare and challenging disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / drug therapy
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / genetics
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / metabolism*
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pemetrexed / therapeutic use
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Platinum Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD274 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Platinum Compounds
  • Pemetrexed