Features of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The disease burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains large both in China and globally. In particular, advanced HCC lacks of effective systemic therapeutic drugs. Recently immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved for second-line treatment in patients with advanced HCC by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Compare with traditional chemotherapy or targeted therapy, these novel pharmacological approaches have unique therapeutic features, such as durable response, delayed response and manageable safety profile with specific immune-related adverse events that require monitoring. We aim to summarize the characteristics of immuno-oncology therapies on aspects of long-term outcome, response mechanisms and assessment, safety, and special populations, based on clinical trials and real-world data on patients with HCC. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Immunotherapy; Immune checkpoint inhibitors