PD-L1 and TGF-β cooperatively regulate tumor immune escape: mechanisms and advances in dual-targeting therapy
10.12025/j.issn.1008-6358.2026.20251026
- VernacularTitle:PD-L1与TGF-β协同调控肿瘤免疫逃逸：机制与双靶向治疗进展
- Author:
Qianqian HE
1
;
Yanli YANG
2
;
Han ZHANG
2
;
Zheyu CHEN
3
;
Puzhong JI
2
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China;The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China.
2. Department of Pathology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China.
3. Department of Pathology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China;Medical College of Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
programmed cell death ligand 1;
transforming growth factor-β;
bispecific antibody;
metabolic reprogramming;
epithelial-mesenchymal transition;
immune escape
- From:
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine
2026;33(3):533-543
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
While programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have yielded breakthroughs in tumor therapy, their efficacy is constrained by the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment and multiple immunosuppressive pathways. In recent years, research has revealed that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) synergistically drives tumor cell immune escape with PD-L1 via pathways such as metabolic reprogramming, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and SOX family factors. Currently, various PD-L1/TGF-β bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) have exhibited promising therapeutic potential in early-phase clinical trials, yet they still confront challenges related to toxicity and drug resistance. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which PD-L1 and TGF-β synergistically regulate tumor immune escape, summarizes the clinical research progress of bsAbs, and discusses strategies for novel drug design and biomarker development, with the aim of offering new insights for the development of combined tumor immunotherapy strategies.
