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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Naïve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-β-containing Protocol
Published on: December 30, 2016
Foxp3+ Tregs in HCC immunity and immunotherapy
Mei Feng1, Alessandro Granito2
1Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Trends in Molecular Medicine
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suppress anti-tumor immunity. Understanding Treg metabolism and targeting them is key for effective cancer immunotherapy while managing toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in suppressing anti-tumor immunity within HCC.
- Tregs promote inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor progression in HCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the metabolic and cytokine landscapes that stabilize suppressive Treg subsets in HCC.
- To highlight phenotypic and metabolic differences in Tregs between viral and nonviral liver diseases.
- To discuss Treg heterogeneity, prognostic value, and strategies for targeting Tregs in HCC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Treg subsets within the HCC microenvironment.
- Metabolic and cytokine profiling of tumor-resident Tregs.
- Comparison of Tregs in viral versus nonviral liver diseases.
- Evaluation of Treg metrics for prognostic and predictive value.
Main Results:
- Specific metabolic and cytokine profiles stabilize highly suppressive Treg subsets in HCC.
- Phenotypic and metabolic differences exist between Tregs in viral and nonviral liver diseases.
- Treg heterogeneity impacts prognosis and treatment response in HCC.
Conclusions:
- Targeting tumor-resident Tregs is a promising strategy for HCC immunotherapy.
- Balancing Treg-targeted therapies with peripheral tolerance is crucial.
- Combination immunotherapies require careful management of Treg dynamics to mitigate toxicities.
