Cited 15 times since 2020 (3.1 per year) source: EuropePMC Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer, Volume 1875, Issue 1, 1 1 2020, Pages 188463 Blood-based PD-L1 analysis in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles: Applications for optimal use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 axis inhibitors. Del Re M, van Schaik RHN, Fogli S, Mathijssen RHJ, Cucchiara F, Capuano A, Scavone C, Jenster GW, Danesi R

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the programmed cell death protein 1 axis (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) are part of a new pharmacological strategy aimed at reinforcing the immune response to cancer. Despite the success in several cancer types, a significant percentage of patients do not benefit from treatment with these drugs due to intrinsic or acquired resistance or the occurrence of immune-related adverse reactions. Assessment of PD-L1 expression in tumor tissues is currently used to predict drug response in the clinics; however, there is a growing interest in identifying blood-based biomarkers that, owing to the minimally-invasive nature, can allow a dynamic monitoring of drug response in daily clinical practice. In the current review article, we discuss whether the assessment of PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels in circulating extracellular vesicles may have the potential to predict the likelihood of tumor response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies.

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2020 11;1875(1):188463