Evaluating the Correlation between PD-L1 Antibody Radiotracers and PD-1/PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases, with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors playing a crucial role in treatment. Accurate assessment of PD-L1 expression is essential for patient stratification, yet traditional biopsies are limited by tumor heterogeneity. This meta-analysis evaluates the correlation between PD-L1 antibody radiotracers and PD-1/PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients using PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging. Analysis of four clinical trials involving 50 patients and six NSCLC samples revealed that higher SUVmax and T:BP ratios correlated with PD-L1 expression and prognosis, offering a more comprehensive and non-invasive alternative to biopsies. While promising, standardization of imaging parameters and further validation in diverse patient populations are needed to refine clinical application.