Abstract IA18: Immune checkpoint inhibitors and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Abstract

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually arises in the setting of liver cirrhosis from viral or non-viral causes. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a rising cause of HCC in the United States and many other parts of the world. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) or its ligand have improved outcomes for patients with advanced HCC. In general, clinical biomarkers are not currently used to identify patients most likely to benefit from systemic immunotherapy in HCC, and whether etiology has any effect on immunotherapy responses in HCC has been unclear. In this session, we will review recent preclinical data suggesting that NASH may impair immune responses in HCC. We will also review data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) comparing the tumor immune microenvironment of viral-associated and non-viral HCC, and review the preponderance of clinical evidence indicating that HBV, HCV, and non-viral HCC all derive clinical benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Citation Format: Mark Yarchoan. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in the Pathogenesis and Molecular Therapies of Liver Cancer; 2022 May 5-8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2022;28(17_Suppl):Abstract nr IA18.