Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Immunotherapy

Abstract

With over 750,000 new cases identified annually, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to be a threat, with current immunotherapies producing ineffective results in a majority of patients. PD1/PD-L1 antibodies have risen as another treatment option, but previous studies have only analyzed these antibodies in the tumor microenvironment. In order to understand how exactly these PD1/PD-L1 blockers affect macrophages and their anti-tumor macrophages, this study isolated the macrophage cells and tumor cells. Two protocols were followed, one with the B16F10 melanoma cell line, in order to determine proper procedures and determine a point of comparison, and one with the R1LWT liver cancer cell line. In the end, the B16F10 cell line responded positively to the PD1/PD-L1 antibodies, with increased MHCI/MHCII activation. On the other hand, the R1LWT cell line reacted oppositely, opening new inquiries into other pathways by which immunosuppression occurs.