ALK variants, PD-L1 expression, and their association with outcomes in ALK-positive NSCLC patients
Journal
Scientific reports
Journal Volume
10
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Chang, Gee-Chen
Yang, Tsung-Ying
Chen, Kun-Chieh
Hsu, Kuo-Hsuan
Huang, Yen-Hsiang
Tseng, Jeng-Sen
Abstract
It remains unclear how programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression interacts with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation, its variants, and the outcome of treatment. One hundred and twenty four out of 1255 patients (9.9%) were deemed ALK-positive by the Ventana IHC assay. PD-L1 status and ALK variants were available in 100 and 59 patients, respectively. PD-L1 positive (TPS ≥ 1%) and strong positive (TPS ≥ 50%) rate was 50% and 16%, respectively. A total of 64 variant types were detected in 59 patients. V1 (32.8%) and V3a/b (28.1%) were the most common variants. There was no significant association between ALK variants and the PD-L1 expression. The presence of V3a/b subtype independently predicted a worse overall survival in patients receiving ALK inhibitor(s) (aHR 5.10 [95% CI 1.22-21.25], P = 0.025) and platinum plus pemetrexed (aHR 9.62 [95% CI 1.90-48.80], P = 0.006). While incorporating ALK variants and PD-L1 expression together, patients with non-V3a/b/positive PD-L1 showed a trend towards longer OS. In conclusion, ALK-positive NSCLC patients possess a high PD-L1 expression rate. Although there was no significant association between PD-L1 expression and ALK variants, the outcome of ALK-positive patients could be sorted by these two biomarkers.
SDGs
Other Subjects
ALK protein, human; anaplastic lymphoma kinase; programmed death 1 ligand 1; adverse event; cigarette smoking; disease free survival; enzymology; female; genetics; human; lung tumor; male; middle aged; mutation; non small cell lung cancer; treatment outcome; Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; B7-H1 Antigen; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cigarette Smoking; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Treatment Outcome
Type
journal article