Conclusion
We found correlations between therapy-induced E-cadherin downregulation and decreased PD-L1 expression using our cell lines and published microarray data. ShRNA mediated E-cadherin knockdown decreased PD-L1 expression in parental cells, and dual immunofluorescent staining of E-cadherin and PD-L1 suggests co-localization of both molecules. We also observed marked downregulation of PD-L1 in cells with E-cadherin downregulation after chronic treatment with vinorelbine. These results indicate a correlation between therapy-induced E-cadherin downregulation and decreased PD-L1 expression, highlighting the importance of re-biopsy after acquisition of resistance to EGFR-TKIs, not only for the evaluation of resistance mechanisms but also for the determination of PD-L1 expression status.
Methods
Lung cancer cell lines (HCC827, HCC4006, PC9, H1975, H358, SW900, and H647) and their daughter cells that acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs or cytotoxic drugs (cisplatin or vinorelbine) were examined. PD-L1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and/or fluorescent imaging. Published microarray data were also employed to evaluate our findings.