Prognostic Significance of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Overview

Journal Diagnostics (Basel)

Specialty Radiology

Date 2023 Oct 28

PMID 37892079

Authors

Jeongwan Kang

Kang Min Han

Hera Jung

Hyunchul Kim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

(1) Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is an aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer. Recent advances have introduced prognostic markers and targeted therapies. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as a potential biomarker for HGSOC, with implications for prognosis and targeted therapy eligibility; (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted on major databases, and extracted data were categorized and pooled. Subgroup analysis was performed for studies with high heterogeneity. (3) Results: Data from 18 eligible studies were categorized and pooled based on PD-L1 scoring methods, survival analysis types, and endpoints. The result showed an association between high PD-L1 expression and a favorable prognosis in progression-free survival (HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.35-0.78, = 0.0015). Subgroup analyses showed similar associations in subgroups of neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4-0.88, = 0.009) and European studies (HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.42-0.82, = 0.0017). In addition, subgroup analyses using data from studies using FDA-approved PD-L1 antibodies suggested a significant association between favorable prognosis and high PD-L1 expression in a subgroup including high and low stage data in overall survival data (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.3-0.73, = 0.0009). (4) Conclusions: This meta-analysis revealed a potential association between high PD-L1 expression and favorable prognosis. However, caution is warranted due to several limitations. Validation via large-scale studies, with mRNA analysis, whole tissue sections, and assessments using FDA-approved antibodies is needed.

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