Abstract PS2-08-14: Chemokine signatures improve PD-L1-based prediction of pembrolizumab response in triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive yet immunogenic subtype of breast cancer (BC) and the only one with FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) - pembrolizumab. Currently, PD-L1 (22C3) is the companion biomarker for predicting pembrolizumab benefit, but its utility is limited by spatial/temporal heterogeneity, assay variability, and modest correlation with treatment response. Chemokines such as CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 recruit CD8+ T cells into the tumor microenvironment and have been associated with improved response to ICI, but their predictive value alongside PD-L1 remains unclear. Here, we examined the relationship between these chemokines, PD-L1, and pembrolizumab efficacy in TNBC. Methods: We analyzed 3662 TNBC tumors profiled by NGS (592, NextSeq; WES/WTS, NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences). Immune cells were estimated using WTS deconvolution (Quantiseq). PD-L1 positivity was defined as >10% CPS (PharmDx 22C3). CXCL9/CXCL10/CCL5-high (H) and -low (L) TNBC were classified by RNA expression above or below 50th percentile. Real-world median overall survival (mOS) was derived from insurance claims and calculated from start of pembrolizumab to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. Statistical significance was assessed by chi-square and Mann-Whitney U with multiple comparison adjustments (q<0.05). Results: TNBC expressed higher levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 (N = 3662, median TPM: 5.3, 14.8, and 15.1) compared to HER2+ (N = 1344; 4.8, 10.1, 10.6) and HR+HER2- BC (N = 6097; 2.7, 6.6, 9.4), all q<0.05. Moderate correlations were observed between PD-L1 CPS and each chemokine (r = 0.41, p<.01). PD-L1-positive tumors had better mOS (24.3 months (m) vs 18.6 m, HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.6-0.92, p=0.007) compared to PD-L1-negative TNBC post-pembrolizumab. Among PD-L1-negative tumors, those with CXCL9-H had better mOS (26.9 m vs 15.8 m for CXCL9-L, HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.82, p=0.001) post-pembrolizumab. Among PD-L1-positive tumors, CXCL10-H and CCL5-H was associated with improved mOS (CXCL10-H: 25.7 m vs. 20.7 m for CXC10-L, p = 0.03; CCL5-H: 26.7 vs. 18.5 m for CCL5-L, p = 0.03) post-pembrolizumab. PD-L1 negative CXCL9-H, PD-L1 positive CXCL10-H and PD-L1 positive CCL5-H groups showed higher infiltration of CD8+ T cell, B cells, M1/M2 macrophages, Tregs. They also exhibited higher T cell inflamed score, IFNy score and MAPK activation score vs. CXCL9-L, CXCL10-L and CCL5-L groups (Table). Conclusions: In TNBC, a chemokine signature comprising CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL5 refines PD-L1 based prediction of pembrolizumab benefit. Specifically, high CXCL10 or CCL5 expression in PD-L1-positive tumors, and high CXCL9 expression in PD-L1-negative tumors, were associated with improved survival post pembrolizumab and immune-rich microenvironment. These findings support the use of chemokine profiling to complement PD-L1 and enhance patient selection for ICI therapy in TNBC. Citation Format: S. Gandhi, S. Deshmukh, S. Wu, J. Xiu, G. Sledge Jr., D. Trapani, J. Leone, S. Chumsri, M. Lustberg, C. Hong, S. Yao, K. Takabe, M. Ernstoff, M. Opyrchal, P. Chalasani, C. Paulos, G. Lesinski, A. Madabhushi, S. Badve, K. Kalinsky, P. Kalinski. Chemokine signatures improve PD-L1-based prediction of pembrolizumab response in triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-08-14.