A recently published study evaluated the role of programmed-death receptor ligand (PD-L1) as an indicator of the likely course (prognosis) of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

A total of 738 patients were included in the study and followed for around 34 months. The presence of PD-L1 and PD-1 receptors in the tumour cells was significantly associated with a higher tumour stage and the presence of tumour necrosis. PD-L1 receptors in tumour cells predicted a worse recurrence-free survival.

In conclusion, PD-L1 positivity was significantly associated with worse outcomes for patients with localised RCC. The presence of this marker may help identify those patients who need close follow-up after surgery and may benefit from checkpoint-inhibitor therapy after surgery (adjuvant treatment).

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