BMC Cancer (Feb 2022)

Massive digital gene expression analysis reveals different predictive profiles for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of advanced lung cancer

  • Toshihiko Kaneda,
  • Takayasu Kurata,
  • Tomoko Yoshida,
  • Kayoko Kibata,
  • Hiroshige Yoshioka,
  • Hiroaki Yanagimoto,
  • Kazuhiko Takeda,
  • Takao Yoshida,
  • Koji Tsuta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09264-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors prolong the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Although it has been acknowledged that there is some correlation between the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody therapy and immunohistochemical analysis, this technique is not yet considered foolproof for predicting a favorable outcome of PD-1 antibody therapy. We aimed to predict the efficacy of nivolumab based on a comprehensive analysis of RNA expression at the gene level in advanced NSCLC. Methods This was a retrospective study on patients with NSCLC who were administered nivolumab at the Kansai Medical University Hospital. To identify genes associated with response to anti-PD-1 antibodies, we grouped patients into responders (complete and partial response) and non-responders (stable and progressive disease) to nivolumab therapy. Significant genes were then identified for these groups using Welch’s t-test. Results Among 42 analyzed cases (20 adenocarcinomas and 22 squamous cell carcinomas), enhanced expression of MAGE-A4, BBC3, and OTOA genes was observed in responders with adenocarcinoma, and enhanced expression of DAB2, HLA-DPB,1 and CDH2 genes was observed in responders with squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions This study predicted the efficacy of nivolumab based on a comprehensive analysis of mRNA expression at the gene level in advanced NSCLC. We also revealed different gene expression patterns as predictors of the effectiveness of anti PD-1 antibody therapy in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

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