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Cholangiocarcinoma:Unveiling the cold tumor microenvironment and strategies for immune rejuvenation
Wenqi Xu1,2, Shuhan Liu1,2, Longlong Sun1,2
1Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education Yanji, China & Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Yanbian University State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Yanbian University, Yanji, China.
Abstract:
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains a therapeutic challenge due to its "immune cold" phenotype, defined by a desmoplastic fortress and profound T cell exclusion. This review characterizes the multi layered immune escape mechanisms, ranging from defective antigen presentation to the recruitment of suppressive myeloid cells and fibroblasts. We detail how physical barriers and the gut-liver axis conspire to maintain immune invisibility. Moving beyond mechanism, we critically evaluate emerging strategies designed to breach these defenses and reprogram the tumor microenvironment, including stromal targeting, mRNA vaccines, and combinatorial immunotherapies. We conclude by delineating the paradigm shift toward precision immuno oncology, highlighting that resolving spatiotemporal heterogeneity through multi-omics integration is essential for transforming CCA into an immune responsive state. Additionally, the synergy between AI and intelligent medicine provides a novel roadmap for advancing CCA clinical therapeutics.
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