Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cell numbers and serum C-reactive protein levels as a prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab

Abstract

Aim

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab is an established first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous research identified CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as a potential biomarker for predicting patient response to this therapy. However, not all HCC patients with CD8⁺ TILs respond favorably to atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Moreover, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with poor outcomes in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors across various cancer types. The aim of this study was to determine whether CD8⁺ TIL numbers combined with serum CRP levels could collectively predict the response to atezolizumab and bevacizumab better than CD8⁺ TIL numbers alone.

Methods

A total of 46 HCC patients who provided liver biopsy samples were included. CD8⁺ TIL numbers in liver tissue were measured using immunohistochemistry.

Results

A group of 13 patients (28.3%) with high CD8⁺ TIL numbers and low (≤0.54 mg/dl) serum CRP levels demonstrated the highest treatment response rate. Furthermore, this group had a significantly longer median overall survival and progression-free survival than the remaining 33 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that high CD8⁺ TIL numbers with low CRP levels (HR 0.264; p = 0.037) and Child–Pugh class A (HR 0.277; p = 0.009) were associated with improved overall survival.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the combination of CD8⁺ TIL numbers and serum CRP levels may serve as a useful biomarker for predicting the efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in HCC patients.