The Role of P16, P53, KI-67 and PD-L1 Immunostaining in Primary Vaginal Cancer

Background: To analyze clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical correlates of survival in vaginal cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of primary vaginal cancer patients, treated at the Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology of the University Hospital Bonn between 2007...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eva K. Egger, Mateja Condic, Damian J. Ralser, Milka Marinova, Alexander Mustea, Florian Recker, Glen Kristiansen, Thore Thiesler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Cancers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/4/1046
Description
Summary:Background: To analyze clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical correlates of survival in vaginal cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of primary vaginal cancer patients, treated at the Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology of the University Hospital Bonn between 2007 and 2021. Results: The study cohort comprised 22 patients. The median age was 63 years (range: 32–87 years). Squamous cell histology was present in 20 patients. Five-year OS in Stage I, II, III and IV was 100%, 56.25%, 0% and 41.67%, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.147). Five-year DFS was 100%, 50%, 0% and 20.83%, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.223). The 5-year OS was significantly reduced in the presence of nodal metastasis (<i>p</i> = 0.004), lymphangiosis (<i>p</i> = 0.009), hemangiosis (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and an age above 64 years (<i>p</i> = 0.029). Positive p 16 staining was associated with significantly improved OS (<i>p</i> = 0.010). Tumoral and immune cell PD-L1 staining was positive in 19 and in 16 patients, respectively, without significant impact on OS; 2 patients with metastastic disease are long-term survivors treated with either bevacizumab or pembrolizumab. Conclusion: P16 expression, absence of lymph- or hemangiosis, nodal negative disease and an age below 64 years show improved survival rates in PVC. Tumoral PD-L1 expression as well as PD-L1 expression on immune cells is frequent in PVC, without impacting survival. Within our study cohort, long-term survivors with recurrent PVC are treated with anti-VEGF and immunotherapy.
ISSN:2072-6694