Expression of PD-L1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Main Article Content
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a cancer that ranks as the 7th most common globally, characterized by a poor prognosis and decreased overall survival. In recent times, tumor immunotherapy has emerged as the most promising antitumor treatment, gaining widespread acceptance. One reliable method for identifying patients who may benefit from anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy is through the expression of Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) using immunohistochemistry.
The aim of this study is to investigate the Immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of PD-L1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and to examine its correlation with histopathological factors.
METHODS
It is a retrospective and prospective study done at a tertiary care hospital from 01/02/2023 to 31/01/2024. A total of 60 cases of HNSCC were selected, histopathological features studied and PD-L1 expression was evaluated using a combined positive score (CPS). The statistical significance was evaluated to study the correlation between different histopathological features and PD-L1 expression.
RESULTS
PD-L1 immunopositivity was seen in 44 cases (73.34%) using CPS, of which 24 cases (40%) showed low expression (CPS 1-49) and 20 cases (33.3%) showed high expression (CPS > 50). A statistically significant correlation (0.011) was noted between the PD-L1 score and tumor grade. No other statistically significant correlation was noted with patient demographics, tumor site or tumor stage.
CONCLUSION
Higher amounts of PD-L1 are commonly connected to more aggressive tumors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and it plays a crucial role in evading the immune system. To make an informed decision about therapy, it is important to understand the significance of PD-L1 expression in various types of cancer.
Immunohistochemistry can be used to detect PD-L1 status in patients with HNSCC, which can help identify those who may benefit from targeted immunotherapy in the future.