Perspektiven für eine Immuntherapie beim hepatozellulären Karzinom

Zusammenfassung

Das hepatozelluläre Karzinom (HCC) ist der fünfthäufigste Tumor weltweit mit einer hohen Mortalität. Die zur Verfügung stehenden Behandlungsoptionen sind limitiert, daher ist die Entwicklung neuer, innovativer Therapieansätze von hoher klinischer Relevanz. Aufgrund der antitumoralen Eigenschaften des Immunsystems ist die Immuntherapie eine vielversprechende Behandlungsoption. Patienten mit einem HCC weisen zwar Tumorantigen-spezifische T-Zell-Antworten auf; diese sind jedoch in den meisten Fällen nicht in der Lage, den Tumor zu kontrollieren. Verschiedene Mechanismen tragen zum Versagen der Tumor-spezifischen T-Zell-Antworten bei. Das Ziel aktueller immuntherapeutischer Strategien ist es, die Mechanismen des T-Zell-Versagens aufzuheben und bestehende antitumorale Immunantworten zu verstärken oder neue zu induzieren.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common tumor worldwide with a high mortality. Available therapeutical options are limited, thus the development of new, innovative therapeutic strategies is crucial. Based on the immune system’s antitumoral effect, immunotherapy is a promising new treatment option. Specific antitumoral T-cell responses can be detected in patients with HCC, however, their impact on tumor control seems to be rather weak. Various different immunosuppressive mechanisms seem to contribute to the failure of tumor-specific T-cell responses. Thus, the aim of immunotherapeutic strategies is to address these mechanisms of T-cell failure and to induce new or to boost existing antitumoral immune responses.

Schlüsselwörter

hepatozelluläres Karzinom - Immuntherapie - Tumorimmunologie

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma - immunotherapy - tumor immunology

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