PD-L1 expression in the microenvironment and the response to checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

D Evrard, M Hourseau, A Couvelard, V Paradis, H Gauthier, E Raymond, C Halimi, B Barry, S Faivre, D Evrard, M Hourseau, A Couvelard, V Paradis, H Gauthier, E Raymond, C Halimi, B Barry, S Faivre

Abstract

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), data from studies using checkpoint-inhibiting antibodies that target programmed death 1 (PD-1) or its ligand the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) demonstrated outstanding clinical activity. Translational investigations also suggested some correlations between therapeutic response and PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue. We comprehensively summarize results that have evaluated PD-L1 expression in HNSCC. We discuss flaws and strength of current PD-1/PD-L1 detection, quantification methods and the evaluation of PD-L1 as a prognostic and theragnostic biomarker. Understanding tumor microenvironment may help understanding resistance to checkpoint inhibitors, designing clinical trials that can exploit drug combinations.

Keywords: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; anti-PD-1/PD-L1; biomarkers; immune checkpoint inhibitors; tumor microenvironment.

© 2020 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PD-L1 staining (E1L3N, Cell signaling technology) in head and neck carcinoma sample shows a weak staining of the tumor component (t) contrasting with a strong staining of the immune component (i) located in the stroma. Pathologists have scored this case 15% by tumor proportion score (TPS) and 40 by combined positive score (CPS)

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