Regulation of Immunity in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma: Role of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2

Regulation of immunity is a unique oncogenic mechanism that differs in different cancers. VHL deficient clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) trigger the immune response resulting in cancer progression. This study aimed to investigate PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 expression in ccRCC primary cancers and metastatic tissues associated with the p-VHL content, transcriptional, and growth factors expression. Methods: A total of 62 patients with RCC were enrolled in the study. Investigation of mRNA level was performed by PCR in real-time. Western blotting analysis was used for detecting the p-VHL protein content in tissues. Results: The PD-L2 prevalence in metastatic cancers is crucial in tumor progression. The VHL expression and p-VHL content determined the aggressive cancer behavior and elevated in disseminated tumors. The cancer dissemination was accompanied by an increase in both mRNA and VHL content. Conclusion: We present a new instrument targeting pathologies with p-VHL/HIF altered function that impact the PD-L2 expression through the change in transcriptional, growth factors, and AKT/mTOR modulation.