The prognostic and predictive value of AFP in immune checkpoint inhibitor-treated hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a universally recognized tumor marker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its utility in assessing the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of AFP in ICIs-treated HCC patients.

Method

A systematic search strategy was deployed across the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. Hazard ratios (HR) or odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the pooled risk.

Result

The study encompassed a total of 131 studies. Overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.60, 95%CI=1.47-1.74), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.35, 95%CI=1.27-1.42), and disease control rate (DCR) (OR = 0.50, 95%CI=0.29-0.8

SUBMITTER: Tian BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623344 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature