Serum-derived exosomal PD-L1 expression to predict anti-PD-1 response and in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

PD-L1 expression is the most useful predictive biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and CD8+tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+TILs) play an essential role in the clinical activity of immunotherapy. PD-L1 is found on the exosome's surface, and PD-L1 expressing exosomes can inhibit antitumor immune responses. This study aimed to analyze tumor PD-L1 expression, serum exosomal PD-L1, and CD8+TILs to investigate anti-PD-1 response and clinicopathological outcomes in NSCLC. One hundred twenty patients with stage I-III NSCLC were enrolled, and serum samples collected during the initial surgery were pooled. The Human CD274/PD-L1 ELISA kit was used to quantify the exosomal PD-L1. Exosomal PD-L1 levels were significantly correlated with tumor PD-L1 levels (p<0.001) and the number of CD8+TILs (p=0.001). Patients with exosomal PD-L1 >= 166 pg/mL tended to have a worse RFS than those with<166 pg/mL in all stage (p=0.163) and stage I patients (p=0.116). Seventeen patients exhibited postoperative recurrences and received anti-PD-1 treatment. The disease control rate of patients with exosomal PD-L1 >= 166 pg/mL was 100%. The measurement of serum exosomal PD-L1 as a quantitative factor with tumor PD-L1 status may help predict anti-PD-1 response and clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC.

Automated summary

This study found a significant correlation between serum exosomal PD-L1 levels and tumor PD-L1 levels as well as the number of CD8+TILs in non-small cell lung cancer patients. This suggests that measuring serum exosomal PD-L1 could be a valuable factor in predicting the response to anti-PD-1 therapy and clinical outcomes.