The relationship between galectin-1 expression and the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients

We herein examined the potential of galectin-1 expression to predict the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We also investigated the potential of galectin-1-targeted therapy as an immunotherapeutic approach for patients with NSCLC. This retrospective cohort study included patients with metastatic, unresectable, or postoperative recurrent NSCLC who were treated with anti-PD-1 monotherapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) between November 2017 and August 2019. Galectin-1 expression in the plasma and tumor tissues of NSCLC patients before the initiation of anti-PD-1 therapy was analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. To examine the relationship between galectin-1 expression and anti-tumor T-cell activity, the cytotoxicity of peripheral human T cells against tumor cells was assessed using bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) technology (BiTE assay). Plasma galectin-1 concentrations were significantly higher in NSCLC patients before the initiation of anti-PD-1 therapy than in healthy donors. Median progression-free survival with anti-PD-1 therapy was slightly extended in the group with low galectin-1 expression in both plasma and tumor tissue, although the difference was not statistically significant. T-cell cytotoxicity in the BiTE assay was stronger against galectin-1 knockout tumor cells than wild-type tumor cells. In conclusion, a relationship is suggested between galectin-1 expression and the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in NSCLC patients.