To date, several anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint agents have been approved for the treatment of NSCLC, including two anti-PD-1 drugs pembrolizumab and nivolumab, as well as three anti-PD-L1 drugs atezolizumab, durvalumab and avelumab (38, 39). This evidence concerns the gene PDCD1 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.