Biomarker analyses for response. (A) The IFN-γ gene expression score at baseline and week 3 across treatment arms, calculated with normalized NanoString readcounts. Baseline versus on-treatment IFN-γ scores were compared using two-tailed paired t tests. Pathologic responders are indicated with circles, and pathologic non-responders with squares. (B and C) Frequency of the PD-L1 tumor proportion score categories at baseline and week 3 (B) and pathologic response rates per category (C). Baseline PD-L1 scores of arm A + B versus C + D were compared using χ-square test, and association between PD-L1 score and response was calculated with two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. *, NE = not evaluable, mainly due to the absence of tumor or high pigmentation. (D) Normalized NanoString readcounts indicating ratio of CD8⁺ T cells and FOXP3⁺ Tregs in patient tumors at baseline and week 3 across treatment arms. Statistical significance across baseline and week 3 within each arm was evaluated using two-tailed paired Student’s t test. pRR, pathologic response rate.