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Zhang N, Yang X, Piao M, Xun Z, Wang Y, Ning C, Zhang X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Wang S, Chao J, Lu Z, Yang X, Wang H, Zhao H. Biomarkers and prognostic factors of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Res 2024; 12:26. [PMID: 38355603 PMCID: PMC10865587 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic therapies using programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have demonstrated commendable efficacy in some patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, other individuals do not respond favorably. Hence, identifying the biomarkers, the prognostic factors, and their underlying mechanisms is crucial. In this review, we summarized the latest advancements in this field. Within the tumor microenvironment, PD-L1 expression is commonly utilized to predict response. Moreover, the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Preclinical studies have identified stimulatory dendritic cells, conventional dendritic cells, and macrophages as potential biomarkers. The emergence of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics has provided invaluable insights into tumor heterogeneity through the lens of single-cell profiling and spatial distribution. With the widespread adoption of next-generation sequencing, certain genomic characteristics, including tumor mutational burden, copy number alterations, specific genes (TP53, CTNNB1, and GZMB), and signaling pathways (WNT/β-catenin) have been found to correlate with prognosis. Furthermore, clinical features such as tumor size, number, and metastasis status have demonstrated prognostic value. Notably, common indicators such as the Child-Pugh score and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, which are used in patients with liver diseases, have shown potential. Similarly, commonly employed laboratory parameters such as baseline transforming growth factor beta, lactate dehydrogenase, dynamic changes in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin, CRAFITY score (composed of C-reactive protein and AFP), and immune adverse events have been identified as predictive biomarkers. Novel imaging techniques such as EOB-MRI and PET/CT employing innovative tracers also have potential. Moreover, liquid biopsy has gained widespread use in biomarker studies owing to its non-invasive, convenient, and highly reproducible nature, as well as its dynamic monitoring capabilities. Research on the gut microbiome, including its composition, dynamic changes, and metabolomic analysis, has gained considerable attention. Efficient biomarker discovery relies on continuous updating of treatment strategies. Next, we summarized recent advancements in clinical research on HCC immunotherapy and provided an overview of ongoing clinical trials for contributing to the understanding and improvement of HCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mingjian Piao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ziyu Xun
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yunchao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Cong Ning
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xinmu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Longhao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yanyu Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiashuo Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhenhui Lu
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, No.36 Industrial 8 Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong province, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hanping Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Becht R, Kiełbowski K, Wasilewicz MP. New Opportunities in the Systemic Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Today and Tomorrow. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1456. [PMID: 38338736 PMCID: PMC10855889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represent major risk factors of HCC. Multiple different treatment options are available, depending on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm. Systemic treatment is reserved for certain patients in stages B and C, who will not benefit from regional treatment methods. In the last fifteen years, the arsenal of available therapeutics has largely expanded, which improved treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, not all patients respond to these agents and novel combinations and drugs are needed. In this review, we aim to summarize the pathway of trials investigating the safety and efficacy of targeted therapeutics and immunotherapies since the introduction of sorafenib. Furthermore, we discuss the current evidence regarding resistance mechanisms and potential novel targets in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Becht
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Kajetan Kiełbowski
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Michał P. Wasilewicz
- Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
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Balducci D, Montori M, De Blasio F, Di Bucchianico A, Argenziano ME, Baroni GS, Scarpellini E. The Role of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) in Treating Portal Hypertension in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:1150. [PMID: 37374354 PMCID: PMC10304577 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59061150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is very frequent, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of liver cancer cases. Its growing incidence has been greatly affected by the increasing prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The latter is a new epidemic in our era. In fact, HCC is often generated from noncirrhotic liver and its treatment benefits from surgical and nonsurgical approaches, potentially bridged by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) use. TIPS use is an effective treatment for portal hypertension complications, but its application in patients with HCC and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) remains controversial due to concerns about tumor rupture, dissemination, and increased toxicity. The technical feasibility and safety of TIPS use in HCC patients have been evaluated in several studies. Despite concerns about intraprocedural complications, retrospective studies have shown high success rates and low complication rates in TIPS placement for HCC patients. TIPS use in combination with locoregional treatments, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or transarterial radioembolization (TARE), has been explored as a treatment option for HCC patients with portal hypertension. These studies have shown improved survival rates in patients undergoing TIPS in combination with locoregional treatments. However, the efficacy and toxicity of TACE in combination with TIPS use require careful evaluation, as changes in venous and arterial flow can affect treatment outcomes and complications. The results from studies evaluating the impact of TIPS on systemic therapy and surgical options are also promising. In conclusion, the TIPS is a sufficiently safe, useful item available for physicians treating complications of portal hypertension. Moreover, a TIPS can be used in combination with locoregional therapy in HCC patients. Systemic chemotherapy can also benefit of the use of TIPS placement. A complex interplay affects TIPS use with surgery. The latter needs further data. The TIPS is a useful and safe add-on treatment, changing the natural course of HCC progression. Its use is regulated by a sophisticated physiologic and pathophysiologic flow of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Balducci
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Michele Montori
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Federico De Blasio
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Bucchianico
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Eva Argenziano
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Emidio Scarpellini
- Clinical Nutrition Unit and Internal Medicine Unit, “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, Via Luciano Manara 7, 63074 San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disease (T.A.R.G.I.D.), Gasthuisberg University Hospital, KULeuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Lueven, Belgium
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