Immunologic Correlates of Pathologic Complete Response to Preoperative Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancer Immunol Res. 2019 Sep;7(9):1390-1395. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-18-0605. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Abstract

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), surgical resection is associated with high recurrence rate, and no effective adjuvant therapy currently exists. We initiated a pilot randomized trial of perioperative immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab for resectable HCC. Here, we provide an illustrative report of a case that achieved a complete response and report immunologic correlates of this complete pathologic response to perioperative immunotherapy. Clinical response was correlated with an increase in CD8+ T-cell infiltration, with an increase in two effector T-cell clusters. This study is ongoing, and the final results may contribute to a paradigm shift in the perioperative treatment of HCC, leading to the incorporation of immunotherapy in the curative setting.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Preoperative Care*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological