Interesting report from the Crick. Mutations in 'Ras' genes, which drive 25% of human cancers by causing tumour cells to grow, multiply and spread, can also protect cancer cells from the immune system. They show that mutated Ras genes can suppress the immune system around tumours by increasing levels of a protein called Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). It was already known that high expression levels of PD-L1 was associated with increased tumour aggressiveness and an increased risk of death, and the current study provides the mechanism.

Open Access DOI

Several PD-L1 inhibitors are in development, including Atezolizumab.