Prognostic and clinicopathological value of soluble programmed cell death ligand-1 (sPD-L1) in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have explored whether soluble programmed cell death ligand-1 (sPD-L1) can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL); however, no consistent results have been obtained. Consequently, we conducted the present meta-analysis to identify the precise significance of sPD-L1 in predicting the prognosis of PTCL.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library until July 31, 2024. The value of sPD-L1 in predicting PTCL prognosis was examined by combining the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Seven articles involving 445 patients were included in this study. Based on our pooled findings, increased sPD-L1 was associated with dismal overall survival (OS) (HR = 4.22, 95%CI = 1.89-9.43, p < 0.001) and worse progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 2.57, 95%CI = 1.35-4.90, p = 0.004) in PTCL. Furthermore, higher sPD-L1 levels were correlated with male sex (OR = 1.80, 95%CI = 1.06-3.03, p = 0.029), International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ≥2 (OR = 4.32, 95%CI = 2.10-8.89, p < 0.001), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (OR = 5.15, 95%CI = 1.94-13.71, p = 0.001), presence of B symptoms (OR = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.45-4.52, p = 0.001), and ECOG PS ≥2 (OR = 7.41, 95%CI = 1.49-36.92, p = 0.015) in PTCL.

Conclusion: According to the present meta-analysis, higher sPD-L1 levels were significantly correlated with poor OS and inferior PFS in patients with PTCL. Additionally, high sPD-L1 levels were also associated with clinical features representing the development of PTCL.