Abstract
Background: The healthy human lung is a host to a unique and dynamic bacterial community, related to multiple diseases. In aspects of cancer development, the microbiome is increasingly being recognized for its role, which might influence lung cancer development and treatment efficacy.
Aim and Objectives: In this study, we aim to investigate the microbial difference of lung cancer patients according to the degree of PD-L1 expression and immunotherapy response.
Methods: The NGS-based 16S rRNA molecular technique was used to identify the respiratory tract microbiome using BAL fluid. The study group was divided by the level of PD-L1 expression and immunotherapy response.
Results: 59 patients showed a low level of PD-L1 expression of less than 10%, otherwise, 25 patients had a high level of it over 10%. Mean age was higher in the low PD-L1 group (68.1±10.7) compared to the high PD-L1 group (63.1±12.9). Neisseria was significantly higher in the low PD-L1 expression group (p=0.037), and Veillonella was dominant in the high PD-L1 group (p=0.028). In responder group, Veillonella(p=0.041) was dominant, otherwise, Haemophilus(p=0.041) and Neisseria(p=0.041) was dominant in non-responder group.
Conclusions: The abundance of Neisseria and Veillonella differed significantly with the level of PD-L1 expression and immunotherapy response. Haemophilus was dominant in the immunotherapy non-responder group. Even if the NGS-based technique did not show significant differences between alpha and beta diversity of lung microbiomes, the microbiota can directly or indirectly induce antitumor activities augmenting human innate immunity, which might have the potential to be used for combinatory treatment with immunotherapy.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA1128.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021