PD-L1
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Programmed death-ligand 1 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PD-L1 stands for Programmed death-ligand 1, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Protein expressed on some tumor cells and immune cells that binds PD-1 on T cells to suppress immune attack. Pathologists measure PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry to help select patients for checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Example: PD-L1 TPS 80% in stage IV NSCLC without driver mutations: first-line pembrolizumab alone.
Usage notes
Scoring systems differ by drug and cancer type, such as the tumor proportion score (TPS) in lung cancer and the combined positive score (CPS) in gastric and head and neck cancer. In NSCLC a TPS of 50 percent or more qualifies for single-agent pembrolizumab, based on the KEYNOTE-024 trial (2016). Drugs targeting PD-L1 directly include atezolizumab and durvalumab.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- ORR – Objective response rate
- OS – Overall survival
- PCI – Prophylactic cranial irradiation
- pCR – Pathologic complete response
- PD – Progressive disease
- PD-1 – Programmed cell death protein 1
- PFS – Progression-free survival
- Ph – Philadelphia chromosome
- PMF – Primary myelofibrosis
- PNH – Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
- PR – Partial response
- PRBC – Packed red blood cells
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.