Biomarkers predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma

Front Immunol. 2023 Dec 22:14:1326097. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1326097. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a transformative approach in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite their success, challenges persist, including concerns about their effectiveness, treatment costs, frequent occurrence of treatment-related adverse events, and tumor hyperprogression. Therefore, it is imperative to identify indicators capable of predicting the efficacy of ICIs treatment, enabling optimal patient selection to maximize clinical benefits while minimizing unnecessary toxic side effects and economic losses. This review paper categorizes prognostic biomarkers of ICIs treatment into the following categories: biochemical and cytological indicators, tumor-related markers, imaging and personal features, etiology, gut microbiome, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). By organizing these indicators systematically, we aim to guide biomarker exploration and inform clinical treatment decisions.

Keywords: HCC; PD-L1; biomarker; hepatocellular carcinoma; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported in part by the grants from the Natural Science Fund of Liaoning Province (20180551193 and 2020-MS-181 to FX) and the 345 Talent Project of Shengjing Hospital (40B to FX and 30C to TJ).