Expression of PD-L1 in medullary thyroid carcinoma-a new therapeutic target?

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2021 Feb 20;4(3):e00241. doi: 10.1002/edm2.241. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

PD-L1 expression in MTC is hot topic since, if it is demonstrated that PD-L1 is highly expressed in this cancer, thus immunotherapy against checkpoint inhibitors could become an important therapeutic tool in MTC treatment. To answer this question, we evaluated PD-L1 expression in MCT tumour tissues, using an anti-PD-L1 22C3 antibody and found a high expression in 6 of the 8 patients (75%). Similarly, two other recent studies reported a higher PD-L1 expression. According to our results, MTC cells present a significative PD-L1 expression, raising the hypothesis that immunotherapy, such as pembrolizumab, could have a role on MCT treatment. The authors believe this is a fundamental question and may impact the future of MTC treatment.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism
  • B7-H1 Antigen / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Immunologic Factors