Serum IL-5 and IFN-γ Are Novel Predictive Biomarkers for Anti-PD-1 Treatment in NSCLC and GC Patients

Background. Because responses of patients with cancer to immunotherapy can vary in success, effective biomarkers are urgently needed for predicting clinical response with anti-PD-1 treatment. We aimed to evaluate the IL-5 and IFN-gamma level with the response of anti-PD-1 blockade in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer (GC). Methods. Metastatic NSCLC and GC patients treated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody were studied. Blood samples were taken before PD-1 McAb treatment, after the first cycle treatment, and during efficacy evaluation. The association between IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels and clinical response were analyzed by the nonparametric Wilcoxon matched-pairs ranked tests. The progression-free survival (PFS) time was obtained by imaging evaluation and telephone follow-up of all the patients. Kaplan-Meier and the log rank test were used to plot the survival curve. Results. IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels were detected in the peripheral blood of 40 NSCLC and 35 GC patients who have received anti-PD-1 treatment. In effective group, IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels at best response points significantly decreased (P<0.001) compared with pretherapeutic levels in NSCLC and GC patients with lymph node or distant metastasis. Compared with pretherapeutic levels, IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels largely increased as the tumor progresses (P<0.01). Higher IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels before treatment indicated shorter progression-free survival in patients with NSCLC metastasis (P=0.007, P=0.0111). Moreover, their levels also accurately reflected the pseudoprogression of two NSCLC patients to anti-PD-1 treatment. Conclusions. Our results suggested that serum IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels could be an effective indicator for predicting clinical efficacy and survival with anti-PD-1 blockade in NSCLC and GC patients.

Automated summary

The study suggests that IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels could be effective indicators for predicting clinical efficacy and survival with anti-PD-1 blockade in NSCLC and GC patients. Higher levels of IL-5 and IFN-gamma before treatment are associated with shorter progression-free survival, and these levels accurately reflect the pseudoprogression of some patients to anti-PD-1 treatment.