OBJECTIVEResearch on the expression of PD-L1 (clone SP263) in prostate cancer (PC) is rare. This study aims to investigate PD-L1 (SP263) expression and its clinicopathological correlations in PC.METHODSA total of 265 PC samples at our center from 2021 to 2024 were included in this study. The clinical information and pathological data were collected. Whole-slide immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 (SP263), p53, ERG, PTEN, HER-2 and Ki67 was performed on PC samples, including core biopsies, radical prostatectomies, transurethral resections of the prostate and metastases. Next-generation sequencing was performed in 17 patients and the status of TP53, BRCA1/2 were analyzed. Associations were assessed between PD-L1 status and clinicopathological parameters (age, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA], surgical margin, Gleason Group [GG], TNM stage, Ki-67, p53/TP53, BRCA1/2, survival outcomes, etc.) using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kaplan-Meier analyses.RESULTSPD-L1 positivity (10.2 %, 27/265) correlated with advanced age (P = 0.007), high GG (P = 0.019), T3/4 stage (P = 0.001), positive surgical margin (P = 0.004), aberrant p53/TP53 (P = 0.043), and elevated Ki-67 (P = 0.042). No associations were observed between these factors (serum PSA, N category, M category, PTEN, ERG, BRCA1/2, or survival outcomes) and PD - L1.CONCLUSIONThe expression of PD-L1 (SP263) is positively associated with pathologically aggressive parameters in PC. This finding implies the potential value of PD-L1 as a biomarker for risk stratification. Moreover, it indicates the possibility of using PD-L1 (SP263) and p53 expression to guide the combinational application of mutated p53 inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in PC.