Clinicopathological and prognostic features of Epstein-Barr virus infection, microsatellite instability, and PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Gastric cancer (GC) has recently been categorized in molecular subtypes, which include Epstein-Barr (EBV)-positive and microsatellite instability (MSI) tumors. This distinction may provide prognostic information and identifies therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to evaluate EBV, MSI, and PD-L1 immunoexpression in GC and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and patient's prognosis.

METHODS

We evaluated 287 GC patients who underwent D2-gastrectomy through immunohistochemistry for DNA mismatch repair proteins and PD-L1, and in situ hybridization for EBV detection utilizing tissue microarray.

RESULTS

EBV-positive and MSI were identified in 10.5% and 27% of the GCs, respectively. EBV positivity was associated to male gender (P = 0.032), proximal location (P < 0.001), undetermined Lauren type (P < 0.001), poorly differentiated histology (P = 0.043) and severe inflammatory infiltrate (P < 0.001). MSI-tumors were associated to older age (P = 0.002), subtotal gastrectomy (P = 0.004), pN0 (P = 0.024) and earlier TNM stage (P = 0.020). PD-L1-positive was seen in 8.8% of cases, with predominant expression in EBV-positive GC (P < 0.001). MSI was associated to better survival outcomes.

CONCLUSION

EBV-positive GCs had increased PD-L1 expression, while MSI GC had better survival outcome. EBV and MSI subgroups are distinct GC entities, their recognition is feasible by conventional techniques, and it may help individualize follow-up and guide adjuvant therapy.