Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common lethal cancers worldwide. Natural killer cells (NK cells) play a key role in liver immunosurveillance, but in the tumor microenvironment, NK cells are readily depleted, as evidenced by down-regulation of activating receptors, reduced cytokine...

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Main Authors: Yuxiang Huang, Hengjian Liao, Jiefu Luo, Huaning Wei, Anling Li, Yujie Lu, Bangde Xiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1502270/full
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author Yuxiang Huang
Hengjian Liao
Jiefu Luo
Huaning Wei
Anling Li
Yujie Lu
Bangde Xiang
author_facet Yuxiang Huang
Hengjian Liao
Jiefu Luo
Huaning Wei
Anling Li
Yujie Lu
Bangde Xiang
author_sort Yuxiang Huang
collection DOAJ
description Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common lethal cancers worldwide. Natural killer cells (NK cells) play a key role in liver immunosurveillance, but in the tumor microenvironment, NK cells are readily depleted, as evidenced by down-regulation of activating receptors, reduced cytokine secretion, and attenuated killing function. The up-regulation of inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3, further exacerbates the depletion of NK cells. Combined blockade strategies targeting these immunosuppressive mechanisms, such as the combination of PD-1 inhibitors with other inhibitory pathways (eg. TIM-3 and LAG-3), have shown potential to reverse NK cell exhaustion in preclinical studies. This article explores the promise of these innovative strategies in HCC immunotherapy, providing new therapeutic directions for optimizing NK cell function and improving drug sensitivity.
format Article
id doaj-art-26283ff074bf490290ab3fcd97a9207e
institution Kabale University
issn 2234-943X
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-26283ff074bf490290ab3fcd97a9207e2025-01-21T05:43:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-01-011410.3389/fonc.2024.15022701502270Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomaYuxiang HuangHengjian LiaoJiefu LuoHuaning WeiAnling LiYujie LuBangde XiangHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common lethal cancers worldwide. Natural killer cells (NK cells) play a key role in liver immunosurveillance, but in the tumor microenvironment, NK cells are readily depleted, as evidenced by down-regulation of activating receptors, reduced cytokine secretion, and attenuated killing function. The up-regulation of inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3, further exacerbates the depletion of NK cells. Combined blockade strategies targeting these immunosuppressive mechanisms, such as the combination of PD-1 inhibitors with other inhibitory pathways (eg. TIM-3 and LAG-3), have shown potential to reverse NK cell exhaustion in preclinical studies. This article explores the promise of these innovative strategies in HCC immunotherapy, providing new therapeutic directions for optimizing NK cell function and improving drug sensitivity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1502270/fullhepatocellular carcinomaNK cell exhaustionimmunotherapyimmune checkpoint blockadedrug sensitivitytumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Yuxiang Huang
Hengjian Liao
Jiefu Luo
Huaning Wei
Anling Li
Yujie Lu
Bangde Xiang
Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Frontiers in Oncology
hepatocellular carcinoma
NK cell exhaustion
immunotherapy
immune checkpoint blockade
drug sensitivity
tumor microenvironment
title Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_fullStr Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_short Reversing NK cell exhaustion: a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_sort reversing nk cell exhaustion a novel strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade with drug sensitivity enhancement in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
topic hepatocellular carcinoma
NK cell exhaustion
immunotherapy
immune checkpoint blockade
drug sensitivity
tumor microenvironment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1502270/full
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