PD-L1 and other predictive biomarker tests

Hi Paul. Sorry to read you're going through this. Having just gone through the same with my father, the pdl-1 status comes from the lung biopsy but can take 10-14 days. I think it should read 'other predictive biomarker results to follow'. 

But, other people on here may be able to tell you further...

My father has squamous type too. Positive pdl1 so will be having immunotherapy soon (just finished a short course of palliative radiotherapy).

I think sometimes the apps can be a hindrance and cause unnecessary worry unfortunately. 

Wishing you all the best. Keep us updated on here. 

Hello Paul

Sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with left upper lobe NSCLC adenocarcinoma cancer in August 2023, a subsequent biopsy showed I had PDL-1 at 5%.

PDL-1 affects our immune system and enables our "T" cells to fight infection etc., also to help fight cancer cells, but, when PDL-1 is present in cancer cells, depending on what percentage, they stop our "T" cells from attacking the tumour. So it is important to know what percentage of PDL-1 is present in the cancer cells, which is found on the tissue taken from the lung biopsy. There are many biomarkers tested on the tissue, eight in fact. If there is a high percentage of PDL-1 (>50% or more) present in the cancer cells, then, along with other treatment, immunotherapy is recommended. The immunotherapy drugs help our "T" cells perform better at attacking cancer cells, my score test was 5%, so I did not need additional immunotherapy.

My biopsy found I was also positive for the K-RAS gene. This gene controls the growth of cancer cells. Apparently it is present in 15-20% of NSCLC patients. I was told by the Oncologist that, if my lung cancer begins to grow again after my treatment, I can be given the drug Sotorasib, taken as a daily tablet, this acts as a brake on tumour cell growth and basically stops it in its tracks. It has only been approved by NICE here in the UK for the last couple of years, it has apparently been very successful when used in the USA for over a decade.

My lung cancer was thankfully diagnosed early at stage 1 measuring 2.5cm, with no spread to surrounding major organs or lymph nodes, brain CT scan was also clear. I was offered surgery, but declined and requested SABR radiotherapy. I finished my SABR treatment on 15 December 2023, a subsequent scan three month's later showed the lesion had shrunk by 50% and because of quick positive response to treatment I did not need another CT scan follow up for six months. I had a second follow up CT scan 16 March and results show that the lesion is now "stable" and showing signs of remission.

I apologise for this long winded reply, but thought this may help with your enquiry regarding PDL-1 and other biomarkers your wife is awaiting.

Best wishes to you both.

Ann 

Ann, thank you so much and that has explained a lot.  We actually had the hospital on the phone this morning.  The results should never have been put on the app at this stage.  Apparently it was a computer error and they are having to ring round everyone who was affected.  It seems they will recommend surgery followed by targeted radiotherapy.

Again, thank you and it did help.

Kindest regards

Paul