SPDL1 and non-small cell lung carcinoma: It has been reported that a doubling of sPD-L1 levels was associated with a 41% increased risk of death (P = 0.01).[22] Azuma et al[33] reported that high expression of sPD-L1 was associated with the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in surgically resected NSCLC and was an independent negative prognostic factor for this disease.