The Positive Relationship Between γH2AX and PD-L1 Expression in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Lung squamous cell carcinoma often arises from precancerous lesions where alterations in tumor suppressor genes and subsequent chromosomal instability are often observed due to carcinogen exposure. These tumors are often immunogenic; as such, immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapeutic option. We hypothesized that the DNA damage response in tumor cells induces an immune response, thereby up-regulating programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells, which in turn sensitizes them to anti-PD-1 therapy.