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An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Published on: September 12, 2019
Encouraging specific biomarkers-based therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma
Min Yao1, Jun-Ling Yang2, De-Feng Wang2
1Research Center of Clinical Medicine & Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
The prevention, early discovery and effective treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain a global medical challenge. At present, HCC is still mainly treated by surgery, supplemented by vascular embolization, radio frequency, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biotherapy. The application of multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, or PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can prolong the median survival of HCC patients. However, the treatment efficacy is still unsatisfactory due to HCC metastasis and postoperative recurrence. During the process of hepatocyte malignant transformation, HCC tissues can express and secrete many types of specific biomarkers, or oncogenic antigen molecules into blood, for example, alpha-fetoprotein, glypican-3, Wnt3a (one of the key signaling molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II or IGF-I receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, secretory clusterin and so on. In addition, combining immunotherapy with non-coding RNAs might improve anti-cancer efficacy. These biomarkers not only contribute to HCC diagnosis or prognosis, but may also become molecular targets for HCC therapy under developing or clinical trials. This article reviews the progress in emerging biomarkers in basic research or clinical trials for HCC immunotherapy.
Insights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment faces challenges with metastasis and recurrence. Emerging biomarkers show promise for improving HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted immunotherapy strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant global challenges in prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.
- Current HCC therapies include surgery, embolization, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted agents, but efficacy is limited by metastasis and recurrence.
- Biomarkers like alpha-fetoprotein and glypican-3 are crucial in HCC, with potential for novel therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in basic research and clinical trials.
- To highlight the role of biomarkers in HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and as potential targets for novel immunotherapies.
- To explore the potential of combining immunotherapy with non-coding RNAs for enhanced anti-cancer efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in HCC biomarker research.
- Analysis of specific biomarkers expressed during hepatocyte malignant transformation.
- Examination of current and developing clinical trials focusing on HCC immunotherapy targets.
Main Results:
- Various specific biomarkers (e.g., Wnt3a, IGFs, VEGF) are expressed and secreted during HCC development.
- These biomarkers are valuable for HCC diagnosis and prognosis and are being investigated as therapeutic targets.
- Emerging strategies involve combining immunotherapy with non-coding RNAs to improve treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Novel biomarkers are critical for advancing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis and treatment.
- Targeting specific HCC biomarkers offers potential for developing more effective immunotherapies.
- Further research into these biomarkers and combination therapies may overcome current treatment limitations.
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