PD-L1 status in breast cancer: Current view and perspectives

Breast cancer was traditionally not considered a particularly immunogenic tumor. However, recent developments have shown that some aggressive triple-negative breast cancers are immunogenic, exhibit a resistance to chemotherapy and have a poor prognosis. These cancers have been shown to express molecules identified as targets for immunotherapy. Despite the advances, the challenges are many, and include identifying the patients that may benefit from immunotherapy. The best methods to analyze these samples and to evaluate immunogenicity are also major challenges. Therefore, the most accurate and reliable assessment of immune cells as potential targets is one of the most important aims in the current research in breast immunotherapy. In the present review, we briefly discuss the mechanisms of the regulation of checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1) in breast cancer and explore the predictive aspects in the PD-L1 testing.

Automated summary

Breast cancer, traditionally considered not highly immunogenic, has been found to exhibit immunogenicity in some cases, particularly in aggressive triple-negative types. However, challenges remain in identifying patients who would benefit from immunotherapy and in analyzing samples accurately for immune cell targets. Explore exploration of checkpoint inhibitors in breast cancer, specifically in PD-L1 testing, is an important aspect of current research.