Abstract
Background/Aim: We evaluated the efficacy of “the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) classification” for predicting clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, we aimed to evaluate the “modified TIME classification”, which adds the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) status to TIME. Materials and Methods: Programmed cell death receptor ligand-1 (PD-L1), CD8 T cell tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+TILs) count and VEGF expression analyses were performed using immuno - histochemistry in 44 patients who had undergone ICI monotherapy. Results: Regarding TIME classification, type-I (PD-L1 high and CD8+TILs high) had a significantly higher response than the other types. Using the modified TIME classification, type-IA (PD-L1 high, CD8+TILs high, and VEGF low) had a significantly higher response than the other types. Conclusion: The modified TIME classification, which adds tumor VEGF expression to “the TIME classification”, could be useful in predicting clinical response to ICI monotherapy.
- Tumor immune microenvironment
- immune checkpoint inhibitor
- non-small cell lung cancer
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- biomarker
- Received May 30, 2021.
- Revision received October 11, 2021.
- Accepted October 12, 2021.
- Copyright © 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.
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