PD-L1 expression in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the Programmed Cell Death Ligand (PD-L1) expression at diagnosis and relapse in patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radio(chemo)therapy. Methods PD-L1 immunohistochemistry was performed in tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC) in 44 patients and scored as 0 = 0%, 1 = < 5%, 2 = 6-49% or 3 = >= 50% cells. Results PD-L1 expression on TC before RT was scored as 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 28, 4, 8 and 4 patients, respectively. In 10 patients, IC did not show any PD-L1 expression; while in 8, 16, and 10 patients, PD-L1 expression was scored 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At relapse, 7/36 patients had a PD-L1 expression positivation in TC, while the opposite was observed in 6 patients. Overall, survival at 2 years was higher in patients with PD-L1 expression (90% versus 62.5%, p = 0.032). Conclusion PD-L1 expression may vary throughout the course of the disease. A re-evaluation of PD-L1 expression on biopsies at the time of recurrence should be recommended.

Automated summary

The study evaluated PD-L1 expression in patients with head and neck carcinoma during radiotherapy treatment, finding that PD-L1 expression may vary throughout the course of the disease. Patients with PD-L1 expression had a higher 2-year survival rate.