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© 2024 Slomka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Objective

Recent evidence suggests that elevated levels of PD-L1 expression may be linked to early resistance to TKI and reduced survival in NSCLC with EGFR mutations. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and molecular features of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinomas and determine the prognostic significance associated with high PD-L1 expression.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 103 consecutive patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC, who received treatment between 01/01/2016 and 30/12/2020, at our institution.

Results

Among the tumors, 17% (n = 18) exhibited high PD-L1 expression (≥50% tumor proportion score), which was associated with a lower prevalence of common EGFR mutations (56% vs. 82%, p = 0.03) and a higher frequency of complex EGFR mutations (28% vs. 7%, p = 0.02). Univariate analysis did not reveal any significant differences in first-line response, progression-free survival, or overall survival between the PD-L1 ≥50% and <50% groups. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that PD-L1 ≥50% was independently associated with shorter survival (HR = 2.57; 95%CI[1.20–5.55]; p = 0.02), along with male gender (HR = 2.77; 95%CI[1.54–4.19]; p<0.005), presence of liver metastases (HR = 5.80; 95%CI[2.86–11.75]; p<0.005) or brain metastases (HR = 1.99; 95%CI[1.13–3.52]; p = 0.02), and poor general condition at diagnosis (ECOG 3 and 4) (HR = 10.69; 95% CI[4.42–25.85]; p<0.005). Additionally, a trend towards a higher frequency of de novo resistance was observed in the PD-L1 >50% group (7% vs. 17%, p = 0.19).

Conclusion

High PD-L1 expression was more commonly found in lung adenocarcinomas with uncommon and complex EGFR mutations. Furthermore, high PD-L1 expression independently predicted poor survival. These findings warrant validation through prospective studies.

Details

Title
Clinical and molecular characteristics associated with high PD-L1 expression in EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma
Author
Slomka, Jeremy  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Berthou, Hugo; Mansuet-Lupo, Audrey  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Blons, Hélène; Fabre, Elizabeth; Lerner, Ivan; Bastien Rance; Alifano, Marco; Chapron, Jeanne; Birsen, Gary  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Gibault, Laure; Arrondeau, Jennifer; Leroy, Karen  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Wislez, Marie  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
First page
e0307161
Section
Research Article
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Nov 2024
Publisher
Public Library of Science
e-ISSN
19326203
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3125995545
Copyright
© 2024 Slomka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.