Advances in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract:

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a prevalent malignancy with high incidence and mortality rates globally. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primarily resulting from hepatitis B virus infections in Asia, constitutes most PLC cases. Despite advancements in targeted therapies and localized treatments, the 5-year survival rate remains low, indicating limited efficacy of current approaches. The advent of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has brought new hope for patients with PLC. However, the liver's unique immune microenvironment presents significant challenges to the effectiveness of immunotherapy in HCC. This article reviews recent research developments in liver cancer immunotherapy, focusing on ICIs, combination therapies, emerging treatments, and prospective future directions.