We found that p-STAT3 had a clear positive correlation with PD-L1 levels (P < 0.001, r = 0.801, Spearman rank correlation coefficient; Fig. 6d), suggesting that p-STAT3 exerts a positive effect on PD-L1 expression level in NSCLC. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.