Harmonization of Molecular Testing for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Emphasis on PD-L1

Abstract

Comprehensive molecular testing plays a critical role in the choice of treatment for non-small lung cell cancer (NSCLC). The analysis of druggable alterations in EGFR, BRAF, MET, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, RET and NTRK1/2/3 genes is more or less standardized and can be achieved using a single diagnostic platform, e.g., next generation sequencing (NGS) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In contrast to above targets, PD-L1 testing requires the use of immunohistochemistry (IHC). There are multiple PD-L1 IHC assays, which utilize distinct antibodies and detection systems. These PD-L1 tests are tailored to distinct drugs, often rely on different thresholds and scoring guidelines, and are characterized by incomplete inter-laboratory and inter-observer reproducibility. Several studies evaluated the performance of PD-L1 RNA expression tests, as PCR-based RNA analysis is compatible with other NSCLC molecular testing platforms, can be performed in a semi-automated manner, and has a potential for proper standardization. These investigations revealed a correlation between PD-L1 protein and RNA expression; however, there were NSCLCs demonstrating decent amounts of PD-L1 transcript in the absence of PD-L1 IHC staining. Clinical studies are required to evaluate, which of the two PD-L1 testing approaches, i.e., RNA or protein expression measurement, has a better predictive value.