II-III: OR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.34-0.60, p = 0.000), smoking status (Yes <i>vs</i> No: OR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.14-1.80, p = 0.002) and lymph node metastasis (N+ <i>vs</i> N-: OR = 1.97, 95% CI:1.26-3.08, p = 0.003).<h4>Conclusions</h4>The results of this meta-analysis suggest that PD-L1 expression predicts an unfavorable prognosis in early stage resected NSCLCs. This evidence concerns the gene CD274 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.