High programmed death ligand 1 expression in carcinomatous components predicts a poor prognosis in pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma

Purpose This study reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression of 46 patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma to better understand its clinical behavior and factors affecting the survival. Methods Data of patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinomas resected in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The tumors were classified as carcinomatous or sarcomatous according to the tissue components. Pathological characteristics were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. The percentages of tumor cells with membrane staining for PD-L1 in carcinomatous and sarcomatous components were determined. Results We reviewed data of 46 patients (41 males, 5 females; median age 70.5 years old, range 36-83 years old). Most patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma expressed PD-L1 (80.4%), and the proportion of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was significantly higher in sarcomatous components than in carcinomatous components. In univariable analyses, high p-stage (III), necrosis on pathological findings, and high PD-L1 expression in carcinomatous components (>= 50%) were poor prognostic factors for the overall survival. In multivariable analyses, high PD-L1 expression in carcinomatous components was significantly associated with a poor prognosis after surgery. Conclusions High PD-L1 expression in carcinomatous components was significantly associated with a poor prognosis after surgery.

Automated summary

This study reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics and PD-L1 expression in 46 patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, and found that high PD-L1 expression in the carcinomatous components was significantly associated with a poor prognosis after surgery.