PD‐L1 expression in non‐small cell lung carcinoma: Comparison among cytology, small biopsy, and surgical resection specimens

Abstract

Quantification of PD-L1 expression is feasible on cytology specimens, and the results are comparable to those obtained from surgical resection and small biopsy specimens, including in matched specimens and using a single predictive IHC marker. Future studies will be necessary to determine the comparative value of other antibodies and their ability to predict response to immunotherapy. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:896-907. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Use of the 22C3 anti–programmed death‐ligand 1 antibody to determine programmed death‐ligand 1 expression in cytology samples obtained from non–small cell lung cancer patients

“…These results expand on prior studies that have shown similar PD‐L1 TPS values for tissue samples and cytology samples with the PD‐L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay . Heymann et al recently demonstrated key support for the feasibility of using cytology samples for PD‐L1 testing using the reference pharmDx assay; however, it is notable that only a small number of paired comparisons of cytology and biopsy samples were evaluated (n = 5).…”

“…Cytology specimens are most often obtained from transthoracic computed tomography–guided fine‐needle biopsies, bronchoscopy‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA), endobronchial ultrasound–guided FNA, and bronchoscopic brushings or washes . Recent evidence suggests that using such sample types for PD‐L1 testing is a viable approach . However, there is currently no validated companion diagnostic test available for evaluating PD‐L1 expression in cytology samples.…”

Nivolumab as first-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients—key factors: tumor mutation burden and PD-L1 ≥50%

“…Acquiring samples with biopsy needles from different parts of a lesion/mass/lymph node a better specimen with higher tumor heterogenicity is provided (7)(8)(9)(10). Upon diagnosis we have to acquire the best sample possible which means acquiring TH as best possible.…”

PD-L1 as a biomarker in NSCLC: challenges and future directions

“…However, recent reports suggest that cytology specimens may provide enough cellularity for some of the assays mentioned. A pilot study revealed that 92% (34 of 37 cases) of cytology specimens had sufficient cellularity for analysis with 22C3 (greater than 100 cells) (18). Although there were limited paired cytology-histology samples to guide concordance testing, using cytology for PD-L1 testing may be a feasible option particularly if a core biopsy or resection specimen is unavailable.…”