Determination of PD-L1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells of Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers and Correlation with Tissue Detection

Abstract

PD-L1 plays a pivotal role as an immunoregulatory checkpoint within the immune system, exerting a critical influence on the internal functioning and survival mechanisms of cancer cells. Our study aimed to elucidate the clinical significance of PD-L1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) derived from individuals afflicted with Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers (HLC), as well as its potential implications for clinical practice. CTC were identified using an immunomagnetic positive sorting methodology. Simultaneous detection was conducted on the CTC levels among PD-L1-positive patients, aiming to ascertain the dynamic relationship between real-time CTC fluctuations and the clinicopathological indices of the patients. The constructed immunolipid magnetic nano-beads demonstrated pronounced efficacy in capturing CTCs, and the lipid nanoparticles exhibited noteworthy capture efficiency coupled with minimal cytotoxic effects. This investigation encompassed a cohort exceeding 30 individuals, wherein PD-L1 expression analysis was executed to delineate CTC variations within PD-L1-positive patients, thereby yielding auxiliary insights for clinical diagnosis. Subsequent assessment of PD-L1 expression consistency between CTCs and tissue specimens revealed a substantial agreement surpassing 70%. Furthermore, inhibition of PD-L1 yielded a significant elevation in the cytokine TNF-α levels, accompanied by a concomitant reduction in IL-10 levels. The CTC sorting system devised in this investigation boasts attributes of remarkable specificity and sensitivity. By virtue of PD-L1 expression analysis, it holds the potential to offer instructive implications for tailoring individualized treatments in clinical scenarios.