Sunitinib induces immunogenic cell death through eIF2α phosphorylation to potentiate immunotherapy in HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis remains poor due to its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) represents a promising strategy to remodel this environment. Herein, we developed an ICD-related risk signature (ICDRS) to stratify patients and predict immunotherapy response. Through integrated database screening, sunitinib was repurposed as an ICD inducer. It elicited hallmark features of ICD, including calreticulin exposure, ATP release, and HMGB1 secretion, and effectively suppressed organoid growth. Sunitinib-pretreated HCC cells promoted dendritic cell (DC) maturation in vitro, and these pretreated cells protected mice from tumor rechallenge as a vaccine. Mechanistically, sunitinib induced ICD via eIF2α phosphorylation, as confirmed by reversal with the inhibitor ISRIB. Moreover, sunitinib synergized with anti-PD-L1 therapy by enhancing DC activation and increasing intratumoral cytotoxic T cells, while reducing immunosuppressive cell populations, resulting in potent tumor control. Together, our work provides a clinically actionable strategy to personalize and enhance immunotherapy outcomes in HCC.