PD1 (CD279) and PD-L1 (CD274, B7H1) expression in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL)
Anna Sophie Berghoff1,2,3, Gerda Ricken1,3, Georg Widhalm3,4, Orsolya Rajky2,3, Johannes A. Hainfellner1,3, Peter Birner3,5, Markus Raderer2,3, Matthias Preusser2,3
1 Institute of Neurology, 2 Department of Medicine I, 3 Comprehensive Cancer Center, 4 Department of Neurosurgery, and 5 Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
DOI 10.5414/NP300698
Abstract
Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a malignant brain tumor with limited treatment options and shows prominent infiltration by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Programmed death 1 (PD1; CD279) and its ligand PD-L1 (B7H1, CD274) promote escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance in several tumor types, but no data are available on PCNSL. Agents inhibiting PD1 and PD-L1 are showing compelling antitumor activity in current clinical trials in solid and hematological cancers. Methods: We investigated PD1 (clone NAT ab52587) and PD-L1 (clone 5H1) expression in large neurosurgical resection specimens of 20 immunocompetent historical PCNSL patients using immunohistochemistry. Results: We found expression of PD1 and/or PD-L1 on tumor cells, TILs, or TAMs in a total of 18/20 (90%) of PCNSL cases. In 12/20 (60%) cases, intratumoral PD1-positive TILs were present (low density: 9/20, 45%; moderate density: 2/20, 10%; high density: 1/20, 5%) with additional peritumoral accumulation of PD1-positive lymphocytes in all of 12 cases with evaluable adjacent brain tissue on the tissue section. PD-L1 expressing intratumoral TAMs were found in 4/20 (20%) tumors. In 2/20 (10%) and 4/20 (20%) specimens, we observed striking PD-L1 or PD1 expression on PCNSL tumor cells, respectively. Median number of CD8-positive TILs was 517/mm2 (range 75 – 2,470) and did not correlate with PD1 or PD-L1 expression (p > 0.05, Kruskal- Wallis test). Conclusions: PD1 and PDL1 are immunohistochemically detectable in PCNSL and may be involved in creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Specific immune checkpoint inhibitors may be considered for experimental therapy approaches in this disease.
Author Details
Authors
Departments
- 1 Institute of Neurology,
- 2 Department of Medicine I,
- 3 Comprehensive Cancer Center,
- 4 Department of Neurosurgery, and
- 5 Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Address
Matthias Preusser, MD
Department of Medicine I and
Comprehensive Cancer Center CNS Unit (CCC-CNS)
Medical University of Vienna
Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Email:
[email protected]
Citation
Anna Sophie Berghoff, Gerda Ricken, Georg Widhalm, Orsolya Rajky, Johannes A. Hainfellner, Peter Birner, Markus Raderer, and Matthias Preusser.PD1 (CD279) and PD-L1 (CD274, B7H1) expression in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). 2014; 33: 42-49. doi: 10.5414/NP300698.
