Association of PD-L1 and HIF-1? Coexpression with Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the expression of PD-L1 and HIF-1? in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue and further analyze the association with clinical parameters and the prognostic value of coexpression in HCC patients. METHODS:We assessed the expression of PD-L1 and HIF-1? by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissue from 90 HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy. The results were validated in an independent cohort of additional 90 HCC patients. RESULTS:PD-L1 and HIF-1? exhibited in tumor tissue high expression rates of 41.11% (37/90) and 43.33% (43/90), respectively, and their expressions were positively correlated (r = 0.563, P < .01). High expression of PD-L1 was significantly associated with low albumin levels (P < .05); high expression of HIF-1? was significantly correlated with high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and low albumin levels (P < .05); high expression of both PD-L1 and HIF-1? was also significantly associated with high AFP levels and low albumin levels (P < .05). High expression of PD-L1, HIF-1?, as well as both PD-L1 and HIF-1 ? was respectively significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P < .05). Patients with co-overexpression of PD-L1 and HIF-1? had the worst prognosis compared with other groups. Additionally, multivariate Cox regression models suggested that high expression of PD-L1, HIF-1?, as well as both PD-L1 and HIF-1? was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS (P < .05). Furthermore, the positive correlation and prognostic values of PD-L1 and HIF-1? were validated in an independent data set. CONCLUSION:We demonstrated that HCC patients with co-overexpression of PD-L1 and HIF-1? in tumor tissue had a significantly higher risk of recurrence or metastasis and death compared with others. Therefore, more frequent follow-up is needed for patients with co-overexpression of PD-L1 and HIF-1?. At the same time, a combinational therapy with HIF-1? inhibitors in conjunction with PD-L1 blockade may be beneficial for HCC patients with co-overexpression in the future.
SUBMITTER: Dai X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5884219 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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