In a phase II trial of anti-PD-1 induction therapy for unresectable stage III NSCLC, 55.3% of patients with negative PD-L1 expression achieved partial response, 31.9% had stable disease, and 2.1% progressed, demonstrating the potential efficacy of PD-1-based therapy regardless of PD-L1 expression (33). Here, PDCD1 is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.