The worthy role of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Front Immunol. 2023 Oct 31:14:1284937. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1284937. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Systemic therapy remains the primary therapeutic approach for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, its efficacy in achieving control of intrahepatic lesions is constrained. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a therapeutic approach that combines localized treatment with systemic antitumor effects, which aim is to effectively manage the progression of cancerous lesions within the liver, particularly in patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Combining HAIC with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapy is anticipated to emerge as a novel therapeutic approach aimed at augmenting the response inside the localized tumor site and achieving prolonged survival advantages. In order to assess the effectiveness, safety, and applicability of various therapeutic modalities and to address potential molecular mechanisms underlying the efficacy of HAIC-sensitizing immunotherapy, we reviewed the literature about the combination of HAIC with anti-PD-1 mAb therapies.

Keywords: HAIC; HCC; anti-PD-1; combined therapy; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Cell Death
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Fluorouracil
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thrombosis*

Substances

  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Out study was supported by the following funds: Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation (Grant No. Y-BMS2019-038); Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Shandong Province (Grant No. 202003030451); The Youth Scientific Research Fund of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (Grant No. QDFYQN202101007) and Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Medical Development Foundation (Grant No. KC2021-JX-0186-145).