Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, continues to present significant therapeutic challenges. Despite significant therapeutic advancement in the last decade, the efficacy of systemic treatments for patients with advanced HCC remains unsatisfact...

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Main Authors: Romain Desert, Fabio Gianonne, Antonio Saviano, Yujin Hoshida, Mathias Heikenwälder, Pierre Nahon, Thomas F. Baumert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:npj Gut and Liver
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44355-025-00018-y
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author Romain Desert
Fabio Gianonne
Antonio Saviano
Yujin Hoshida
Mathias Heikenwälder
Pierre Nahon
Thomas F. Baumert
author_facet Romain Desert
Fabio Gianonne
Antonio Saviano
Yujin Hoshida
Mathias Heikenwälder
Pierre Nahon
Thomas F. Baumert
author_sort Romain Desert
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, continues to present significant therapeutic challenges. Despite significant therapeutic advancement in the last decade, the efficacy of systemic treatments for patients with advanced HCC remains unsatisfactory. While the clinical introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved response rates and overall survival, their clinical success remains still limited. Here we provide a comprehensive review of current and emerging strategies aimed at enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy for the treatment of HCC. Both clinical studies conducted in patients as well as studies in preclinical models have markedly advanced our understanding of resistance as well as uncovered novel approaches to overcome resistance. Recent progress is paving the way for improved efficacy and safety of novel approaches that will improve the dismal prognosis of patients with advanced HCC.
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publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Gut and Liver
spelling doaj-art-2cb680c0cb3c40c08947553a21db7a4d2025-08-20T03:07:40ZengNature Portfolionpj Gut and Liver3004-98062025-04-012111510.1038/s44355-025-00018-yImproving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical modelsRomain Desert0Fabio Gianonne1Antonio Saviano2Yujin Hoshida3Mathias Heikenwälder4Pierre Nahon5Thomas F. Baumert6Inserm, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver DiseaseInserm, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver DiseaseInserm, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver DiseaseDivision of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDivision of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Centre Heidelberg (DKFZ)AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Seine Saint-Denis, Liver Unit, University Sorbonne Paris Nord, UFR SMBHInserm, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver DiseaseAbstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, continues to present significant therapeutic challenges. Despite significant therapeutic advancement in the last decade, the efficacy of systemic treatments for patients with advanced HCC remains unsatisfactory. While the clinical introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved response rates and overall survival, their clinical success remains still limited. Here we provide a comprehensive review of current and emerging strategies aimed at enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy for the treatment of HCC. Both clinical studies conducted in patients as well as studies in preclinical models have markedly advanced our understanding of resistance as well as uncovered novel approaches to overcome resistance. Recent progress is paving the way for improved efficacy and safety of novel approaches that will improve the dismal prognosis of patients with advanced HCC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44355-025-00018-y
spellingShingle Romain Desert
Fabio Gianonne
Antonio Saviano
Yujin Hoshida
Mathias Heikenwälder
Pierre Nahon
Thomas F. Baumert
Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
npj Gut and Liver
title Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
title_full Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
title_fullStr Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
title_full_unstemmed Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
title_short Improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: learning from patients and preclinical models
title_sort improving immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma learning from patients and preclinical models
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44355-025-00018-y
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