Through analysis of the PD-L1 promoter, the authors describe two clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) models that exhibit differential PD-L1 expression levels upon IFNγ and hypoxia stimulation. Mutant-VHL ccRCC cells display higher PD-L1 expression than wild-type-VHL ccRCC cells due to high basal HIF2α expression and a stronger response to IFNγ stimulation. Thus, mutant-VHL ccRCC cells are expected to respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Su-Kang Kong
- Byung Soo Kim
- Young-Sik Kim
