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  • Title: Induction of PD-L1 Expression by the EML4-ALK Oncoprotein and Downstream Signaling Pathways in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
    Author: Ota K, Azuma K, Kawahara A, Hattori S, Iwama E, Tanizaki J, Harada T, Matsumoto K, Takayama K, Takamori S, Kage M, Hoshino T, Nakanishi Y, Okamoto I.
    Journal: Clin Cancer Res; 2015 Sep 01; 21(17):4014-21. PubMed ID: 26019170.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: Therapies targeted to the immune checkpoint mediated by PD-1 and PD-L1 show antitumor activity in a subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have now examined PD-L1 expression and its regulation in NSCLC positive for the EML4-ALK fusion gene. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The expression of PD-L1 at the protein and mRNA levels in NSCLC cell lines was examined by flow cytometry and by reverse transcription and real-time PCR analysis, respectively. The expression of PD-L1 in 134 surgically resected NSCLC specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The PD-L1 expression level was higher in NSCLC cell lines positive for EML4-ALK than in those negative for the fusion gene. Forced expression of EML4-ALK in Ba/F3 cells markedly increased PD-L1 expression, whereas endogenous PD-L1 expression in EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC cells was attenuated by treatment with the specific ALK inhibitor alectinib or by RNAi with ALK siRNAs. Furthermore, expression of PD-L1 was downregulated by inhibitors of the MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways in NSCLC cells positive for either EML4-ALK or activating mutations of the EGFR. Finally, the expression level of PD-L1 was positively associated with the presence of EML4-ALK in NSCLC specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings that both EML4-ALK and mutant EGFR upregulate PD-L1 by activating PI3K-AKT and MEK-ERK signaling pathways in NSCLC reveal a direct link between oncogenic drivers and PD-L1 expression.
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