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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Checkpoint Inhibitors | Research

ALDH2 polymorphism rs671 is a predictor of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor efficacy against thoracic malignancies

Authors: Akiko Matsumoto, Chiho Nakashima, Shinya Kimura, Eizaburo Sueoka, Naoko Aragane

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) plays an important role in the endogenous aldehyde detoxification of various types of cells. ALDH2*2, a variant allele of the ALDH2 polymorphism rs671, leads to decreased enzymatic activity. ALDH2*2 may enhance tumor antigen presentation due to aldehyde-induced DNA damage while suppressing peripheral blood T cell counts and T cell activation.

Methods

On the basis of our hypothesis that rs671 affects the sensitivity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), we evaluated the effects of rs671 on patients with thoracic malignancies who started ICI therapy in 2016–2019. The cohort consisted of 105 cases, including 64 cases with adenocarcinoma and 30 cases with squamous cell carcinoma, 49 of whom were ALDH2*2 carriers. The first ICI was PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor (Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or Atezolizumab) in all cases.

Results

The best response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy (partial response/stable disease/progressive disease) was 36%/50%/14% in the rs671(−) cases; however, the response was relatively poor in the rs671(+) cases (27%/29%/45%, respectively) (p = 0.002). The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of disease progression within the observation period of 6 months for the rs671(+) cases was estimated to be 5.0 (2.5–10) after the adjustment for covariates, including sex, Brinkman index, treatment line, tumor tissue programmed death-ligand 1 positivity rate, tumor tissue EGFR mutation. This association was also maintained in a stratified analysis, suggesting that ALDH2*2 is an independent negative predictive factor for the short-term prognosis of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Thus, the progression-free survival (PFS) ratio of the rs671(+) cases decreased rapidly after ICI initiation but was eventually higher than that of the rs671(−) cases (restricted mean survival time in 12 months from 2 to 3 years afterward was 1.3 times that of the rs671(−) cases). Moreover, the highest PFS ratio after 2 years among sub-groups was found in the first-line treatment sub-group of rs671(+) group (40%).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that rs671 may be an accurate and cost-effective predictor of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment, in which optimal case selection is an important issue.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: ALDH2 polymorphism rs671 is a predictor of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor efficacy against thoracic malignancies
Authors: Akiko Matsumoto
Chiho Nakashima
Shinya Kimura
Eizaburo Sueoka
Naoko Aragane
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Checkpoint Inhibitors
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08329-y

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