Aim: To determine if PD-L1 can be used as a biomarker to predict the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Relevant studies from a specific search of the four databases from October 2014 to December 2022 were included in this meta-analysis. Results: Higher PD-L1 expression levels were associated with a higher objective response rate (ORR). Higher PD-L1 expression levels on tumor cells and tumor proportion score were associated with higher ORR. PD-L1 was capable of predicting the effectiveness of nivolumab. Dako 28-8 is a promising assay for HCC. Conclusion: PD-L1 is a predictive biomarker for ORR in HCC. Tumor proportion score and PD-L1 expression levels on tumor cells are potential scoring algorithms.
DNA molecules are subject to various lesions that can be detrimental to the cells. DNA damage response (DDR) pathways encompass a variety of mechanisms that cells employ in response to DNA damage. While DDR promotes genomic stability in normal cells, it also protects cancer cells from DNA lesions, particularly against exogenous DNA‐damaging agents. Therefore, DDR pathways can be exploited to account for resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and have the potential to be targeted in cancer treatment. Apart from the poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors used in BRCA‐mutant cancers, other DDR inhibitors are being developed and tested in clinical trials. Based on the synthetic lethality theory, combination therapies utilizing DDR inhibitors have been explored and are currently undergoing clinical trials, with promising results in cancer treatment. Combination therapies typically employ a DDR inhibitor to sensitize cancer cells to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and even PARP inhibitors. Herein, we focus on recent advances in DDR inhibitor‐based combination therapies other than PARP inhibitors, explore the advantages and disadvantages of the strategies, and discuss the current challenges and future perspectives.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.