Clinical Report: Immune Niche Score Predicts Response to Chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC

Overview

An immune niche score based on immunohistochemistry metrics was developed to predict major pathological response (MPR) in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The score demonstrated moderate predictive performance.

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with resectable NSCLC, yet responses vary widely among individuals. Current biomarkers, particularly PD-L1 TPS, do not fully capture the complexity of the tumor immune microenvironment.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Higher immune niche scores were associated with MPR in NSCLC patients.
• MPR tumors exhibited greater TLS maturity and CD8+ cell proximity to TLS.
• Independent predictors of MPR included CD8–TLS proximity (OR 1.68) and CD163/CD68 ratio (OR 0.66).
• The composite immune niche score had an OR of 2.72 per 1 SD increase for predicting MPR.

Clinical Implications

Incorporating this score alongside PD-L1 TPS could enhance patient stratification.

Conclusion

The IHC-derived immune niche score predicts MPR in resectable NSCLC and warrants further validation in larger, multicenter studies.

Related Resources & Content

1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
2. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
3. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
4. FDA, FDA, 2023 -- FDA approves neoadjuvant/ adjuvant pembrolizumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer
5. asco ai in oncology — Improved Immunotherapy Response Prediction in NSCLC With Deep-Learning Radiomic Biomarker
6. FDA approves neoadjuvant/ adjuvant pembrolizumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer
7. Perioperative Pembrolizumab for Early-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine
8. IASLC MULTIDISCIPLINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PATHOLOGIC ASSESSMENT OF LUNG CANCER RESECTION SPECIMENS FOLLOWING NEOADJUVANT THERAPY - PMC