Association between programmed cell death ligand-1 expression in patients with cervical cancer and apparent diffusion coefficient values: a promising tool for patient´s immunotherapy selection

Objective To investigate the associations between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values extracted from three different region of interest (ROI) position approaches and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression, and evaluate the performance of the nomogram established based on ADC values and clinicopathological parameters in predicting PD-L1 expression in cervical cancer (CC) patients. Methods Through retrospective recruitment, a training cohort of 683 CC patients was created, and a validation cohort of 332 CC patients was prospectively recruited. ROIs were delineated using three different methods to measure the mean ADC (ADC mean ), single-section ADC (ADC ss ), and the minimum ADC of tumors (ADC min ). Logistic regression was employed to identify independent factors related to PD-L1 expression. A nomogram was drawn based on ADC values combined with clinicopathological features, its discrimination and calibration performances were estimated using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic and calibration curve. The clinical benefits were evaluated by decision curve analysis. Results The ADC min independently correlated with PD-L1 expression. The nomogram constructed with ADC min and other independent clinicopathological-related factors: FIGO staging, pathological grade, parametrial invasion, and lymph node status demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.912 and 0.903, respectively), good calibration capacities, and greater net benefits compared to the clinicopathological model in both the training and validation cohorts. Conclusion ADC min independently correlated PD-L1 expression, and the nomogram established with ADC min and clinicopathological independent prognostic factors had a strong predictive performance for PD-L1 expression, thereby serving as a promising tool for selecting cases eligible for immunotherapy. Clinical relevance statement The minimum ADC can serve as a reliable imaging biomarker related to PD-L1 expression; the established nomogram combines the minimum ADC and clinicopathological factors that can assist clinical immunotherapy decisions. Key Points Diffusion-weighted imaging quantitative parameters can characterize the internal characteristics of tumor tissue. The minimum ADC significantly correlated with programmed cell death ligand-1 expression. The proposed nomogram can assist clinicians with immunotherapy decision-making for patients with CC.