Statins May Boost Cancer Immunotherapy by Blocking PD-L1 Vesicle Packing

Cancer cells release PD-L1–containing small extracellular vesicles that dampen immune attacks; the PD-L1 is sorted into these vesicles via a UBL3-driven modification at cysteine 272. Statins inhibit this modification, reducing PD-L1 packaging into vesicles and potentially enhancing responses to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors; early patient data show statin users have fewer PD-L1–positive vesicles, suggesting statins could be added to immunotherapy regimens to improve outcomes.