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PD‐L1 and LAG ‐3 expression in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Author(s) -
Wu Sam,
Slater Nathaniel A.,
Sayed Christopher J.,
Googe Paul B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/cup.13709
Subject(s) - tumor infiltrating lymphocytes , immunotherapy , medicine , cell , pd l1 , cancer research , cancer , immune system , pathology , immunology , biology , genetics
Background Expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) by cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas has been shown to correlate with advanced disease and risk of metastasis. Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG‐3, or CD223) is an inhibitory receptor that interacts with the PD‐L1 axis, which has been shown to be a marker of immune exhaustion and a potential immunotherapy target. However, the role of LAG‐3 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma has not been established. Methods We reviewed 18 cases of locally advanced and/or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and assessed for PD‐L1 expression, presence or absence of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and expression of LAG‐3 by TILs. Results PD‐L1 expression was present in 11 of 13 locally advanced primary tumors and 5 of 5 metastases. TILs were present in all 18 tumors, of which 14 cases were positive for LAG‐3 expression. In positive cases, LAG‐3 was expressed on average by 32% of TILs. Conclusions Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas frequently express PD‐L1 and are associated with an inflammatory response. LAG‐3 expression by TILs was identified in a majority of cases. Our findings suggest that LAG‐3 positive tumor‐associated inflammatory cells may play a role in the development of advanced disease and offer another potential target for drug therapy.