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Human PD-L1

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Function

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), also known as CD274 or B7-H1, is a transmembrane protein that serves as a ligand for the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1. PD-L1 is expressed on various cell types including tumor cells, antigen-presenting cells, and some normal tissues. When PD-L1 binds to PD-1 on T cells, it delivers an inhibitory signal that suppresses T cell activation and proliferation, helping to maintain immune homeostasis but also allowing tumors to evade immune surveillance.

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Therapeutic Relevance

PD-L1 is one of the most important targets in modern cancer immunotherapy:

• Immune Checkpoint Inhibition: Blocking PD-L1 prevents the inhibitory signal to T cells, allowing them to attack tumor cells
• Biomarker: PD-L1 expression levels are used as a biomarker to predict response to immunotherapy
• Multiple Cancer Types: PD-L1 inhibitors are approved for treating lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, and many other malignancies
• Combination Therapies: Often used in combination with other checkpoint inhibitors or traditional therapies

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Target Details

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Applications in Research

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Binding Studies

• Antibody Development: Target for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, etc.)
• Binding Kinetics: Critical for understanding drug-target interactions
• Specificity Studies: Important for developing selective inhibitors

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Drug Development

• Immunotherapy: Primary target for checkpoint inhibitor drugs
• Combination Studies: Investigating synergistic effects with other therapies
• Resistance Mechanisms: Understanding how tumors develop resistance to PD-L1 blockade

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Biomarker Development

• Companion Diagnostics: PD-L1 expression as a predictive biomarker
• Patient Stratification: Identifying patients likely to respond to immunotherapy
• Monitoring: Tracking treatment response and disease progression