Research progress on T cell exhaustion in immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Author:
Yang WU
1
;
Tian LI
2
;
Runbing ZHANG
1
;
Yani ZHANG
1
;
Lingling ZHU
1
;
Tingting SHI
1
;
Shunna WANG
1
;
Meixia YANG
1
;
Xiaohui YU
3
;
Jiucong ZHANG
4
,
5
Author Information
1. Department of Gastroenterology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050; The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China.
2. The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China.
3. Department of Gastroenterology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China.
4. Department of Gastroenterology, the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail: zhangjiucong@
5. com.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- MeSH:
Humans;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy*;
Liver Neoplasms/therapy*;
Immunotherapy/methods*;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*;
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*;
Animals;
T-Cell Exhaustion
- From:
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology
2025;41(3):271-277
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the fastest growing cancers in the world, ranking fourth among the causes of cancer-induced death in the world. At present, the field of HCC treatment is developing rapidly, and immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising treatment method, in which T cells play a key role in HCC immunotherapy. However, in the case of virus infection or in tumor microenvironment (TME), T cells will be continuously stimulated by antigens and then fall into the state of T cell exhaustion (Tex). This state will not only reduce the immunity of patients but also lead to poor efficacy of immunotherapy. Therefore, to deeply analyze the mechanism of Tex and to explore effective strategies to reverse Tex is the key point in the immunotherapy for HCC. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of Tex in HCC patients, and the current situation and shortcomings of drug research and development to reverse Tex at this stage, in order to provide theoretical basis for the optimization of immunotherapy regimen for HCC patients.
