Predictive value of circulating immune cell changes in response to PD-1 blockade and TKI therapy in patients with...

This study investigated the dynamic changes in circulating immune cells following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and interventional therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

HCC patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), TKI, and ICI treatment were included in the treatment group. Peripheral blood samples were collected from these patients before each cycle of PD-1 blockade treatment. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to assess the composition of peripheral immune cells and identify PD-1-expressing T cells.

The treatment group showed a median time-to-tumor progression (TTP) of 8 months and an overall survival (OS) of 19 months. In comparison, the control group had 6 months and 15 months respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P = 0.029 for TTP and P = 0.020 for OS). In HCC patients receiving Lenvatinib, more circulating natural killer (NK) cells were noted. After 1-2 cycles of PD-1 antibody treatment, a general decline in the proportion of circulating PD-1⁺T cells was found, indicating individual variations in response.

Circulating immune cells have the potential to serve as indicators of the response to immunotherapy, providing a means to monitor dynamic changes and optimize treatment for HCC.