T cell-inflamed gene expression profile and PD-L1 expression and pembrolizumab efficacy in advanced esophageal cancer

Aim: Investigate the relationship between response to pembrolizumab and expression of the 18-gene T cell-inflamed gene expression profile (Tcell(inf)GEP) or PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) in esophageal cancer. Materials & methods: This analysis included heavily pretreated patients with advanced/metastatic esophageal/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma who received pembrolizumab in the single-arm, phase II study KEYNOTE-180. PD-L1 CPS was evaluated with PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx. Results: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, trends toward enrichment for responders were observed for patients with PD-L1 CPS >= 10 tumors. In patients with adenocarcinoma, a trend was observed for Tcell(inf)GEP but not for PD-L1. Conclusion: Tcell(inf)GEP and PD-L1 CPS may enrich for responders to pembrolizumab in patients with esophageal cancer.

Automated summary

This study found that the 18-gene T cell-inflamed gene expression profile (Tcell(inf)GEP) and PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) may enrich for responders to pembrolizumab in patients with esophageal cancer.