Objectives: We report on the validity of a fully quantitative technology to determine tumor cells' PD-L1 expression compared with a standard immunohistochemical (IHC) assay in non-small cell lung cancer.
Methods: Nineteen fresh tissue specimens were processed into single-cell suspensions using the IncellPREP Kit. Cells were treated with the OncoTect iO Lung Assay, which quantitatively assessed tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), DNA content, and PD-L1 expression on diploid and aneuploid tumor populations.
Results: Comparison of the OncoTect iO Lung Assay with IHC revealed a concordance of 95% overall (negative percent agreement, 97%; positive percent agreement, 89%). PD-L1 expression varied depending on the DNA content. The number of TILs and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was significantly decreased in tumor compared with normal lung tissue.
Conclusions: The nonsubjective OncoTect iO Lung Assay has been shown to be at least as accurate and sensitive as IHC for the detection of PD-L1 expression while providing additional information to guide treatment.