Targeting the interactions between lymphocytes and liver cancer stem cells in combination with immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), a small subset of HCC cells, have the capacity for self-renewal and the property of treatment resistance, suggesting that LCSCs are key factors in causing poor prognosis for HCC patients. In addition, LCSCs interact with immune cells to participate in the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and escape the immune surveillance in HCC, especially lymphocytes. At present, immunotherapies for HCC are mainly based on reactivating the lymphocyte system, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, multifunctional antibodies, and adoptive cell therapy. Therefore, blocking the interactions between lymphocytes and LCSCs in combination with immunotherapy may be a promising therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes the interaction mechanisms of lymphocytes and LCSCs and the current exploration of combination therapy in HCC.