Immunotherapy series | Assessing PD-L1 status: cytology vs histology in the real world setting

Oncology Knowledge into Practice Podcast

Histological specimens are recommended to assess a patient’s PD-L1 status; however, it is not always easy or even feasible to secure a histological specimen in advanced cancers such as stage IV NSCLC. Cytological specimens are typically used in this setting to assess other molecular markers such as ALK or ROS1 – should they also be used to assess PD-L1 status?
This episode summarises the evidence for and against a cytological approach, before joining Professor Frederique Penault-Llorca for her opinion on whether cytology should be used to assess PD-L1 status in real-world practice.

References:

Gosney J, et al. Lung Cancer. 2020; 141:101-106
Heymann J, et al. Cancer Cytopathology. 2017; 125(12): 896-907
Wagner C, et al. Eur Respir J. 2018; 52: Suppl. 62, PA2217.

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This independent educational activity is supported by an educational grant from Merck, Sharpe & Dohme Corp. The educational content has been developed by Liberum IME in conjunction with an independent steering committee; MSD corp. has had no influence on the content of this education.