P1EN - Study of PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) pre and post radiochemotherapy treatment (RT-CT)

Project objectives

Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a transmembrane protein with the role of immune checkpoint as it suppresses the immune response by T lymphocytes. PD-L1 is normally expressed on the surface of the body's cells (participates in the control of autoimmunity), and recently it has been seen that it can also be expressed on the surface of tumor cells, allowing the tumor to escape recognition by the immune system. For this reason its expression seems to be associated with an increase in tumor growth and aggressiveness. Based on this, PD-1 and PD-L1 have become a new target in cancer therapy based on modulation of the immune system against neoplasia. Recent studies carried out on NSCLC and squamous cell cancer of the esophagus have demonstrated how concomitant neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy would be able to reduce the percentage of PD-L1 expression by the tumor and increase the anti-tumor immune response. The primary objective of the study will be to compare the expression of PD-L1 before and after radiochemotherapy treatment (RT-CT) to evaluate any change in its expression.

Start and end date

Project Manager

Coordinating institution of the project