Critical insights on real-life PD-L1 histopathological workflow and assessment in esophageal, esophagogastric junction, and gastric carcinoma in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) have improved survival in locally advanced and metastatic esophageal, esophagogastric junction, and gastric carcinoma (GEC). Patient selection for ICI-treatment relies on PD-L1 protein expression assessment via immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study aimed to evaluate the real-world assessment of PD-L1 IHC results compared with clinical trial data.

Patients and methods

This multicentric, real-world retrospective study analyzed PD-L1 IHC data from 28 Italian pathology centers of GEC cases diagnosed between October 2023 and September 2024. The study documented PD-L1 expression distribution via combined positive (CPS), tumor proportion (TPS), and tumor

SUBMITTER: Gambella A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12538435 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature