The Value of Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Nov;19(4):e277-e283. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.04.002. Epub 2019 Dec 22.

Abstract

Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an inhibitory molecule expressed by cancer cells to supress T-cell activity and escape anti-tumour immunity. The role of PD-L1 in cancer has been studied extensively as it is considered an important immune checkpoint against immune over-activation through its interaction with Programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) expressed on activated lymphocytes. PD-L1 expression was found to be enhanced by chemotherapy through different proliferation pathways. However, the predictive and prognostic value for PD-L1 expression in cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is not yet established. This review focused on the potential effects of chemotherapy on PD-L1 expression and the role of PD-L1 as a prognostic and predictive marker in NAC-treated cancer patients. In addition, the potential use of this marker in clinical practice is discussed.

Keywords: Cancer; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor