CD274 and neoplasm: Recent studies have reported that the Th1 cytokine, interferon (IFN)-gamma, can lead to upregulation of PD-L1 by tumors.33, 34 Counter intuitively, though previously viewed as being an anti-tumor cytokine, IFN-gamma appears to regulate a pro-tumoral mechanism, increasing PD-L1 expression through the JAK-STAT pathway.35