Pd-l1 protein expression and gene amplification correlate with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate PD-L1 protein expression and gene amplification in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and analyse their correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of LUSC patients. Patients and Methods: Tissue samples from 164 LUSC patients were collected. PD-L1 protein was detected by immunochemistry (IHC), and PD-L1 gene amplification was inves-tigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization in LUSC patients. Results: The positive expression rate of PD-L1 in LUSC was 47.6% (78/164), and the amplification rate of PD-L1 was 6.7% (11/164); both rates were higher than those of paratumor tissue. Both PD-L1 positive expression and gene amplification were correlated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). PD-L1 protein expression, PD-L1 gene amplification, late stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were signifi-cantly correlated with the prognosis of patients. Among these factors, late stage, lymph node metastasis, PD-L1 protein expression and PD-L1 gene amplification were independent prognostic factors for LUSC. Conclusion: Positive PD-L1 protein expression and gene amplification are involved in the malignant progression and metastasis of LUSC. Both PD-L1 protein expression and gene amplification are associated with poor prognosis.