Statins May Boost Immunotherapy by Blocking Cancer PD-L1 Cargo

Researchers found that cancer cells load the immune-inhibiting protein PD-L1 into tiny extracellular vesicles via the protein UBL3, helping tumors suppress immune responses. Statins block this UBL3-driven modification, reducing PD-L1 cargo and potentially improving responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, with supporting evidence from non-small cell lung cancer patients showing fewer PD-L1–containing vesicles in those taking statins.