Expression of PD-L1 in EBV-associated malignancies

• Role of latent genes encoded by EBV. • Role of lytic genes encoded by EBV. • Immunotherapy for EBV-associated malignancies. • Expression of PD-L1 in EBV-associated malignancies. • Regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 expression in EBV-associated malignancies. Epstein-Barr virus infection is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of malignant tumors. Tumor immunotherapy has been combined with modern biological high-tech technology, and has become the fourth cancer treatment mode after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In 2013, immunotherapy was named the first of ten scientific breakthroughs by science. It aims to control and destroy tumor cells by stimulating and enhancing autoimmune function. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-L1 have become a research hotspot in the field of cancer. Recent studies have shown that EBV infection can upregulate PD-L1 through complex mechanisms. Further understanding of these mechanisms and prevention of hyperprogressive disease (HPD) can make PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors an effective way of immunotherapy for EBV related malignant tumors.