Immune Checkpoint Inhibition is Safe and Effective for Liver Cancer Prevention in a Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Cirrhosis is a high-risk state for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and represents an opportunity to prevent cancer. In the precancerous state of cirrhosis, there is an accumulation of neoantigens that may be specifically targetable through immunotherapy. We asked whether immune checkpoint inhibition could prevent tumorigenesis in a mouse model of diethylnitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride-induced HCC. We found that initiation of anti-PD-1 therapy prior to tumorigenesis could prevent up to 46% of liver tumors. This significant reduction in tumor burden was accompanied by infiltration of CD4⁺ Th cells and CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells into the liver parenchyma. Importantly, anti-PD-1 therapy did not exacerbate liver dysfunction or worsen overall health in this live

SUBMITTER: Chung AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8284815 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature