Tailor-made: leveraging the tumor microenvironment to boost treatment for advanced liver cancer

Abstract

Chronic inflammation, particularly in the liver, plays a crucial role in the transformation of malignancies. The intersection of immunology and oncology has drawn focus to T-cell-based immunotherapies; however, certain tumors, including glioblastoma and liver cancers, resist these treatments due to the immunosuppressive characteristics of their tumor microenvironments (TMEs). This thesis explores myeloid-cell-centered strategies for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), emphasizing the role of myeloid cells in tumor dynamics. It examines the roles of monocytes and macrophages in liver diseases and tumor progression. Innovative HCC models are utilized to study the immune TME and tumor characteristics using advanced imaging and profiling techniques. The research highlights how genetic alterations affect immune dynamics and tumor growth, pointing out that targeting myeloid cells presents new therapeutic possibilities. Ultimately, the thesis underscores the importance of understanding tumor heterogeneity and immune resistance to develop effective treatments for advanced liver cancer.