PD-L1 testing and immunotherapy selection – early laboratory experience and its potential role in head and neck cancer management

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Published Jun 27, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22551/2021.30.0801.10179
Andrei Bancu Richard Cowan Anshuman Chaturvedi

Abstract

Anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy has been relatively recently approved in a defined context by NICE in adults in the management of recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). In this context, companion diagnostic programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) testing, previously established at our center for lung and bladder tumors, was undertaken in a few head and neck cancer cases. The scope of this study was to audit the relevant PD-L1 data and integrate the findings in our current clinical practice, with a view to promote improved routine laboratory biomarkers in HNSCC.  Histopathology reports documenting tumor type, PD-L1 result and type of clone/assay were included in this study. Over a 5-year period, PD-L1 testing was undertaken in 199 cancer cases, including 3 with head and neck squamous carcinoma with low focal positive staining. Immunotherapy treatment in HNSCC demonstrates a discreet but still significant improvement in the overall survival of PD-L1 positive subjects.

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Keywords

PD-L1/PD-1, biomarkers, tumor proportion score, combined positive score, immunotherapy, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

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How to Cite
Bancu, A., Cowan, R., & Chaturvedi, A. (2021). PD-L1 testing and immunotherapy selection – early laboratory experience and its potential role in head and neck cancer management. Archive of Clinical Cases, 8(1), Arch Clin Cases 2021; 8(1):14-18. https://doi.org/10.22551/2021.30.0801.10179
Issue
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2021)
Section
Original studies

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How to Cite

Bancu, A., Cowan, R., & Chaturvedi, A. (2021). PD-L1 testing and immunotherapy selection – early laboratory experience and its potential role in head and neck cancer management. Archive of Clinical Cases, 8(1), Arch Clin Cases 2021; 8(1):14-18. https://doi.org/10.22551/2021.30.0801.10179