Differential analysis of PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue, tumor tissue-derived exosomes, and plasma-derived exosomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract

1.1 Background

The most effective predictive biomarker for the response to immunotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the PD-L1 protein.

1.2 Objective

Evaluate the expression levels of PD-L1 in plasma-derived exosomes and tumor tissue-derived exosomes from individuals diagnosed with NSCLC. Assess the correlation between PD-L1 expression levels in exosomes and those in tumor tissues.

1.3 Methods

This prospective study included 40 patients with NSCLC who were scheduled for surgery. Tumor tissues, tissue-derived exosomes, and plasma-derived exosomes were collected, and the expression levels of PD-L1 were determined. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the levels of PD-L1 in tumor tissues, tumor-derived exosomes, and plasma-derived exosomes. Correlation analysis also focused on the relationships between various biological variables, with particular attention to the interactions among tumor tissues, tumor-derived exosomes, and plasma-derived exosomes.

1.4 Results

40 patients with NSCLC underwent surgical resection. The statistical data for tumor tissue, tumor-derived exosomes, and plasma-derived exosomes are presented as follows: Tumor tissue had a standard deviation of 10.12 and a mean of 35.40. Tumor-derived exosomes exhibited a standard deviation of 8.45 and a mean of 25.50. Plasma-derived exosomes had a mean of 18.70, a median of 18.00, and a standard deviation of 6.30. The analysis revealed significant variation in PD-L1 expression levels among the different groups. Correlation analysis identified a significant association between tumor tissue and tumor-derived exosomes (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), a moderately strong correlation between tumor tissue and plasma-derived exosomes (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), and the most significant correlation (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) was observed between tumor-derived exosomes and plasma-derived exosomes, indicating significant interconnectivity.

1.5 Conclusion

The expression levels of PD-L1 in the two groups showed significant differences, highlighting notable and statistically significant variations between them. This indicates potential differences in the biological characteristics and implications of tumor tissues and tumor-derived and plasma-derived exosomes. The interconnection and relevance of exosomes in both tumor tissues and plasma may have crucial implications for understanding tumor biology and for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.