Advances in targeting programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 therapy for hematological malignancies

Abstract

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are important immune checkpoints, and their interactions can mediate immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 are immune checkpoint inhibitors that bind to PD-1 and PD-L1, respectively, to block the signal pathway between the two and increase the immune response. They are widely used in tumor treatment and have good efficacies for malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, among others. In addition, for hematological malignancies, studies targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 have achieved gratifying results. This article briefly reviews the mechanisms of action and clinical and hematological malignancy applications of targeting PD-1 and PD-L1.