Importantly, PD-L1 expression in cancer cells was found to be transiently upregulated following IR, that is, for several days after irradiation, and when the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction was blocked during this upregulation, the anti-PD-1 antibody treatment rescued T-cell activity and delayed tumour growth after irradiation in an immunocompetent mouse model30, 31. The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is cancer.