APMIS(acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica), 2017, 01, 690─698, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.12703

Expression and prognostic significance of programmed death protein 1 and programmed death ligand-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 in hepatocellular carcinoma

HYEWOON CHANG, WON KYUNG JUNG; AEREE KIM; HAN KYEOM KIM; WAN BAE KIM; JI HOON KIM; BAEK-HUI KIM

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and causes of death worldwide. In this study, we assessed the correlation between clinicopathologic factors with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4) expressions. Furthermore, we analyzed the prognostic significance of these proteins in a subgroup of patients. We retrospectively evaluated the PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 expressions in 294 HCC tissue microarray samples using immunohistochemistry. PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions were significant related to high CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (r = 0.664, p < 0.001 and r = 0.149, p = 0.012). Only high Edmondson-Steiner grade was statistically related to high PD-1 expression. High PD-L1 expression was demonstrated as an independent poor prognostic factor for disease-free survival in addition to previous known factors, size >5 cm and serum albumin ≤3.5 g/dL in high CD8+ TILs group. We have demonstrated that the combined high expression of PD-L1 and CD8+ TIL is an important prognostic factor related to the immune checkpoint pathway in HCC and furthermore, there is a possibility that it could be used as a predictor of therapeutic response. Also, this result would be helpful in evaluating the applicable group of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking agent for HCC patients. Expression and prognostic significance of programmed death protein 1 and programmed death ligand-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 in hepatocellular carcinoma | Request PDF. Available from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316882549_Expression_and_prognostic_significance_of_programmed_death_protein_1_and_programmed_death_ligand-1_and_cytotoxic_T_lymphocyte-associated_molecule-4_in_hepatocellular_carcinoma [accessed Jan 02 2018].

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.12703
• ISBN or ISSN: 0903-4641

• 본 연구는 질병관리본부 연구개발과제(과제번호 2017-보건의료생물자원종합관리) 연구비를 지원받아 수행되었습니다.
• This research was supported by a fund(code 2017-보건의료생물자원종합관리) by Research of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.