Updates in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carries an unfavorable prognosis and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Until now, only few systemic agents have improved survival in patients with advanced stage disease. Immunotherapy changed the landscape in several tumor types by producing unprecedented clinical outcomes with a favorable safety profile. Liver presents a particular immune-suppressive microenvironment and HCC develops in a background of chronic inflammation in the vast majority of cases. In this regard, immunotherapy may be a suitable strategy. Preliminary research focused on therapies involving immune cells and anti-tumor immune response for HCC has shown encouraging preliminary results. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, have provided durable responses in patients with advanced stage disease, although the pioneers phase III trials did not confirm survival superiority over the available agents. Cancer vaccines, adoptive cellular therapies and combinations of local modalities with immunotherapy are promising approaches under active research.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) polymorphisms as predictive biomarkers for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV Egyptian patients

“…Immunotherapy of HCC appears to be a tougher road comparing to what is experienced with other tumors [ 15 ]. Therefore, a huge effort is being expended in the quest for predictive biomarkers as well as the development of innovative therapies to improve the outcomes of HCC patients [ 16 ].…”

LiverSCA: A comprehensive and user-friendly cell atlas in human hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer, and its incidence is increasing worldwide [1] . It is a deadly disease [2] , [3] , [4] and the major risk factors for HCC are infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses and excessive alcohol consumption [5] . However, in Western countries, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus are becoming a more frequent risk factor [6] , [7] , [8] .…”