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01-09-2018 | Laboratory Investigation

PD-1/PD-L1 and immune-related gene expression pattern in pediatric malignant brain tumors: clinical correlation with survival data in Korean population

Authors: Kihwan Hwang, Eun Jung Koh, Eun Jin Choi, Tae Hee Kang, Jung Ho Han, Gheeyoung Choe, Sung-Hye Park, Jennifer Holmes Yearley, Lakshmanan Annamalai, Wendy Blumenschein, Manjiri Sathe, Terri McClanahan, Hun Jung, Kyu-Chang Wang, Seung-Ki Kim, Chae-Yong Kim

Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Background

PD-L1 expression has been evaluated as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy in numerous tumor types. However, very limited data are available in pediatric brain tumors. The aim of this study was to characterize PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions of four pediatric malignant brain tumors and gene expression profile.

Methods

This study included 89 pediatric patients receiving standard treatment at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 1990 and 2014: atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) 20; ependymoma (EPN) 20; high grade glioma (HGG) 21; and medulloblastoma (MBL) 28. We performed immunohistochemistry assays for PD-1 and PD-L1. To characterize the gene expression, a custom immune-response focused gene panel was used.

Results

PD-1 expression was positive in 7 (35%) AT/RT, 7 (35%) EPN, 4 (19%) HGG, and 3 (11%) MBL patients. PD-L1 expression was positive in 8 (40%) AT/RT, 4 (20%) EPN, and 4 (19%) HGG; negative in all MBL patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival of PD-L1 positive patients. The gene expression analysis demonstrated differences in two clustering functional categories: cell–cell signaling and antigen presentation pathway.

Conclusions

AT/RT, EPN, and HGG showed a relatively higher expression rate of PD-L1 (19–40%). This suggests these tumor types might be good candidates for PD-1 checkpoint blockade. We determined that gene expression may potentially serve as a molecular tool in predicting which patients will respond to immunotherapy. Further investigation is required to better understand the predictive and prognostic role of PD-L1 in pediatric brain tumors.

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Title: PD-1/PD-L1 and immune-related gene expression pattern in pediatric malignant brain tumors: clinical correlation with survival data in Korean population
Authors: Kihwan Hwang
Eun Jung Koh
Eun Jin Choi
Tae Hee Kang
Jung Ho Han
Gheeyoung Choe
Sung-Hye Park
Jennifer Holmes Yearley
Lakshmanan Annamalai
Wendy Blumenschein
Manjiri Sathe
Terri McClanahan
Hun Jung
Kyu-Chang Wang
Seung-Ki Kim
Chae-Yong Kim
Publication date: 01-09-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 0167-594X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-018-2886-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

PD-1/PD-L1 and immune-related gene expression pattern in pediatric malignant brain tumors: clinical correlation with survival data in Korean population

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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