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Review
. 2022 Jun:64:102232.
doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102232. Epub 2022 May 5.

Dysregulation of immune checkpoint proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma: Impact on metabolic reprogramming

Kanchan Vishnoi  1 , Sandeep Kumar  1 , Rong Ke  1 , Ajay Rana  2 , Basabi Rana  3
Affiliations
Review

Dysregulation of immune checkpoint proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma: Impact on metabolic reprogramming

Kanchan Vishnoi et al. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an inflammation-induced malignant disease of the liver. Abundant expression of immune checkpoint proteins has been reported in HCCs, which contribute to immune cell dysfunction and HCC progression. Immune checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy or combination therapy have been approved by Food and Drug Administration for advanced HCCs. However, the median survival has not significantly improved, suggesting the need for exploring additional mechanisms to increase efficacy. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the mechanisms by which checkpoint proteins promote tumor growth and immune cell dysfunction. This review provides an insight into the role of immune checkpoint proteins on metabolic reprogramming in tumor and immune cells. An in-depth understating of these could help in the development of more efficacious and long-term therapies for HCC.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement

Nothing to declare.

References

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    2. *This clinical trail-based study in patients with HCC demonstrated feasibility of neoadjuvant cabozantinib and nivolumab in the management of pathological response in a subset of patients.

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