In:
Oncology, S. Karger AG, Vol. 99, No. 1 ( 2021), p. 15-22
Abstract:
Introduction: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is a prognostic marker for gastric cancer that correlates with tumor diameter and depth of penetration. But the role of PD-L1 and mechanism(s) employed in the initial phase of invasion in early gastric cancer is yet to be understood. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the role of PD-L1 during the progression of gastric cancer, specifically invading the submucosa beyond the lamina muscularis mucosa. Methods: Using 107 patients with pathological submucosal gastric cancer, we determined the expression of PD-L1 based on the staining of the cell membrane or cytoplasm of tumor cells in the central and invasive front of the tumor. Samples were categorized into 3 groups based on the intensity of PD-L1 expression. CD8+ lymphocytes expressing PD-1 and CD163+ macrophages were used to determine the number of cell nuclei at the invasive front, similar to PD-L1. CMTM6 levels were determined and used to stratify samples into 3 groups. Results: PD-L1 expression was higher in the invasive front (26.2%) than in the central portion of the tumors (7.4%; p 〈 0.001). Moreover, lymphatic and vascular invasion were more frequently observed in samples with high levels of PD-L1 (lymphatic invasion: 60.7 vs. 35.4%, p = 0.0026, and vascular invasion: 39.3 vs. 16.5%, p = 0.0018). There was no correlation between PD-L1 expression and the levels of PD-1, CD8, CD163, and CMTM6. Conclusions: PD-L1-expressing cancer cells at the invasive front of gastric cancer influence the initial stages of tumor invasion and lymphovascular permeation in early-stage gastric cancers. Immune checkpoint signaling may be the driving force in the invasive front during the invasion of the submucosa beyond the lamina muscularis mucosa.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0030-2414
,
1423-0232
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1483096-6
detail.hit.zdb_id:
250101-6
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