PD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDx

Cytotoxic T cells work to detect and eliminate infected cells and tumor cells from the body.To limit damage to surrounding tissue, normal cells differentiate themselves by expressing a protein signal called PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1).This PD-L1 signal is a stop sign designed to avoid elimination of normal cells by cytotoxic T cells.T cells detect the PD-L1 signal through a receptor called PD-1 (programmed death receptor 1).Some tumors can also express the PD-L1 signal to mimic normal cells and escape elimination.Anti-PD-1 therapy works by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction.PD-L1 expression may be associated with patient benefit from anti-PD-1 therapy.

Reference
Sacher AG, Gandhi L.Biomarkers for the clinical use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer.JAMA Oncol.2016

2(9):1217-22.