Work

PD-L1-Directed CD226 Agonism Enhances Antitumor Activity by Amplifying T Cell Responses to Limiting Stimulation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: T cell responses than either Ab alone or the combination. Conditioning CD226 agonism on target cell PD-L1 engagement produced greater T cell and NK cell cytotoxicity than the combination, particularly under effector-limited conditions and repeated target challenges. It also improved tumor control in adoptive-transfer models using antigen-specific TCR-T cells and remained effective with preactivated T cells despite the absence of continued cognate antigen stimulation. These findings identify PD-L1-directed CD226 agonism as a potential immunotherapeutic strategy that exploits the signal-amplifying properties of CD226 to reinforce antitumor lymphocyte responses under limiting stimulation.

Source: Immune Network

DOI: 10.4110/in.2026.26.e46