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Updated: Nov 27, 2025

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Published on: September 12, 2019
Introducing immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: Too early or too fast?
Eleonora Lai1, Giorgio Astara1, Pina Ziranu1
1Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Cagliari, Presidio Policlinico Universitario "Duilio Casula" S.S. 554, Km 4,500 Bivio per Sestu, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract:
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver cancer. Immunotherapy has been explored in this disease in order to improve survival outcomes. Nowadays, scientific research is focusing especially on immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular anti-PD1, anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), as single-agent or in combination with other immunotherapy agents, target therapies, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other agents targeting specific molecular pathways. Other immunotherapy strategies have been assessed or are under investigation in advanced HCC, namely cytokines, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus, cancer vaccines. Each treatment presents specific efficacy and toxicity profiles, strictly related to their mechanism of action and to advanced HCC tumour microenvironment (TME). The aim of this review is to outline the state-of-the-art of immunotherapy in advanced HCC treatment, highlighting data on already investigated treatment strategies, safety and toxicity (including HBV/HCV-related HCC), and ongoing clinical trials focusing on new promising therapeutic weapons.
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