Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Animal Models Available to Characterize Tumor Immunology and Optimize Treatment Development

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second cause of cancer related-death worldwide with few therapeutic options. In this field, the rate of bench-to-bed translation of drugs is very modest, with 70% of drug attrition suggesting that preclinical evaluation should be urgently improved. Besides, recently immunotherapy showed very promising results and constitutes a real breakthrough in the area of HCC treatment. As these treatments aim to restore anti-tumor immunity, animal models including a functioning immune system are essential to allow a relevant preclinical validation. Macek Jilkova et al. describe, in a clear and forceful review which animal models can optimize this research and what are the pros and cons of each of them.