Expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast carcinoma and their clinical significance

Abstract

Background and Aim: Carcinoma of the breast is the second most common cause of cancer death in women. Expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in cancer cells plays an important role in tailored therapy. This can be evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal PD-L1 antibody in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in invasive carcinoma of breast and their clinicopathological correlation. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 and TILs was done in paraffin-embedded tissues of histologically diagnosed 50 cases of breast carcinoma. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22 software. Results: Out of these 50 cases, PD-L1 and TIL expression were seen in 16 (32%) cases and 18 (36%) cases, respectively. PD-L1 positivity was seen in 33.33% cases of grade 1 breast carcinoma, 13.79% of cases of grade 2 breast carcinoma, and in 75% case of grade 3 breast carcinoma. TILs showed positivity in 6.9% cases of grade 1 breast carcinoma, 13.79% of cases of grade 2 breast carcinoma, and in 100% cases of grade 3 breast carcinoma. Proportion of patients having PD-L1 expression was higher in grade 3 carcinoma than in grade 1 or 2. The differences were statistically significant (Chi-square value = 13.417, degree of freedom = 1, P < 0.05). The Chi-square value for TILs was 28.07, degree of freedom was 1, and P value was <0.05, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Both PD-L1 and TILs showed maximum positivity in grade 3 breast carcinoma.