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World Journal of Urology

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01-10-2020 | Biomarkers | Original Article

Prognostic significance of pre- and post-treatment PD-L1 expression in patients with primary high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy

Authors: Ahmet Murat Aydin, Dilek E. Baydar, Berk Hazir, Berrin Babaoglu, Cenk Y. Bilen

Published in: World Journal of Urology | Issue 10/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Programmed cell death-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression has been associated with prognostic implications in urologic malignancies. We aimed to investigate prognostic significance of pre- and post-treatment PD-L1 expression in patients treated with BCG for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods

We reviewed a total of 141 high-grade NMIBC cases treated with transurethral resection + ≥ 6 BCG instillations between 2004 and 2017. PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring was done on 0–3 scale, and cut-off for positive and high-level PD-L1 expression was set to ≥ 1% and ≥ 5% staining of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC), respectively. Clinicopathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes [recurrence-free (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS)] were compared, stratified by PD-L1 positivity. The prognostic role of PD-L1 was assessed using Kaplan–Meier, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results

Pre-treatment, 46.2% and 6.8% of high-grade NMIBC demonstrated positive and high-level PD-L1 expression, respectively. Positive PD-L1 expression was associated with submucosal invasion and refractory-tumor recurrence. PD-L1 expression was not associated with RFS or PFS in regression analysis. Post-treatment, 55.1% and 11.6% of recurrent tumors demonstrated positive and high-level PD-L1 expression, respectively. Down-regulation of PD-L1 expression was noted in patients with refractory recurrence (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Pre-treatment PD-L1 expression was associated with unfavorable pathological features in primary high-grade NMIBC and its expression level after BCG immunotherapy was significantly decreased in patients with refractory recurrence. PD-L1 expression did not have prognostic value for PFS or RFS; therefore, further research is necessary to identify novel biomarkers for prediction of disease outcomes in high-grade NMIBC.

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Title: Prognostic significance of pre- and post-treatment PD-L1 expression in patients with primary high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy
Authors: Ahmet Murat Aydin
Dilek E. Baydar
Berk Hazir
Berrin Babaoglu
Cenk Y. Bilen
Publication date: 01-10-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Biomarkers
Published in: World Journal of Urology / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0724-4983
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-019-03065-2

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Springer Medicine

Prognostic significance of pre- and post-treatment PD-L1 expression in patients with primary high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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