The programed death‐1/programed death ligand‐1 axis and its potential as a therapeutic target for virus‐associated tumours

Abstract As an important and serious condition impacting human health, the diagnosis, and treatment of tumours is clinically vital because tumour cell immune escape sustains tumour development. Programed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) on tumour cell surfaces binds to the programed death‐1 (PD‐1), inhibits T cell activation, and induces apoptosis, and incapacitates cells. This allows tumour cells to evade recognition and clearance by the immune system, thereby permitting tumour occurrence, and development and poor prognosis outcomes in patients with tumours. Currently, anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy has become pivotal in tumour treatment. Pathogens, especially viruses, are important factors which induce many tumours. In this article, we examine associations between Epstein‐Barr virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1‐related tumours and PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis.