Relationship between immune checkpoint proteins, tumour microenvironment characteristics, and prognosis in primary operable colorectal cancer

Al-Badran, S. S.F. et al. (2021) Relationship between immune checkpoint proteins, tumour microenvironment characteristics, and prognosis in primary operable colorectal cancer. Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, 7(2), pp. 121-134. (doi: 10.1002/cjp2.193) (PMID:33338327)

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Abstract

The tumour microenvironment is an important factor for colorectal cancer prognosis, affecting the patient's immune response. Immune checkpoints, which regulate the immune functions of lymphocytes, may provide prognostic power. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the immune checkpoints TIM‐3, LAG‐3 and PD‐1 in patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect TIM‐3, LAG‐3, PD‐1 and PD‐L1 in 773 patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer. Immune checkpoint protein expression was assessed in tumour cells using the weighted histoscore, and in immune cells within the stroma using point counting. Scores were analysed for associations with survival and clinical factors. High tumoural LAG‐3 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.45 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–2.09, p = 0.049) and PD‐1 (HR 1.34 95% CI 1.00–1.78, p = 0.047) associated with poor survival, whereas high TIM‐3 (HR 0.60 95% CI 0.42–0.84, p = 0.003), LAG‐3 (HR 0.58 95% CI 0.40–0.87, p = 0.006) and PD‐1 (HR 0.65 95% CI 0.49–0.86, p = 0.002) on immune cells within the stroma associated with improved survival, while PD‐L1 in the tumour (p = 0.487) or the immune cells within the stroma (p = 0.298) was not associated with survival. Furthermore, immune cell LAG‐3 was independently associated with survival (p = 0.017). Checkpoint expression scores on stromal immune cells were combined into a Combined Immune Checkpoint Stromal Score (CICSS), where CICSS 3 denoted all high, CICSS 2 denoted any two high, and CICSS 1 denoted other combinations. CICSS 3 was associated with improved patient survival (HR 0.57 95% CI 0.42–0.78, p = 0.001). The results suggest that individual and combined high expression of TIM‐3, LAG‐3, and PD‐1 on stromal immune cells are associated with better colorectal cancer prognosis, suggesting there is added value to investigating multiple immune checkpoints simultaneously.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Park, Mr James and Al-Badran, Ms Sara and Horgan, Professor Paul and Roseweir, Dr Antonia and Pennel, Miss Kathryn and Roxburgh, Professor Campbell and Quinn, Dr Jean and Hayman, Hannah-Louise and Edwards, Professor Joanne and McMillan, Professor Donald and Inthagard, Jitwadee
Authors: Al-Badran, S. S.F., Grant, L., Campo, M. B., Inthagard, J., Pennel, K., Quinn, J., Konanahalli, P., Hayman, L., Horgan, P. G., McMillan, D. C., Roxburgh, C. S.D., Roseweir, A., Park, J. H., and Edwards, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:2056-4538
ISSN (Online):2056-4538
Published Online:18 December 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research 7(2):121-134
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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