Relationship Between PD-L1, PD-1, CD8 and Clinicopathological Factors in Primary SCCs

Abstract

Introduction:  Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCCs) is the second most common skin cancer with continuously increasing incidence. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), Programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD-1) and CD8 expression in primary SCCs has not been described in many studies. Objective: We investigated the association between PD-L1, PD-1, CD8 and clinocopathological prognostic factors for recurrence, metastasis and mortality of SCCs. Patients and Methods: Immunohistochemically stained sections of 100 primary SCCs divided in two groups according to diameter of the tumors (<20 mm and >20mm) were assessed. Recombinant rabbit Anti-PD-L1 antibody [SP142] - C-terminal, rabbit monocloncal Anti-PD1 antibody [NAT105] and FLEX Mono Mo a Hu CD8, cl C8/144B, RTU were used. Results: We did not establish statistically significant differences between PD-L1, PD-1, CD8 expression and high-risk clinocopathological features – tumor size >20mm, depth >6mm, poor tumor cell differentiation, perineural/lymphovascular invasion, low/absent lymphocyte stromal reaction.  Conclusions: In primary SCCs, the expression of PD-L1, PD-1 and CD8 is not associated with high-risk clinicopathological factors. We suggest that these immunohistochemical markers are more significant in advanced cases and metastatic tissues.