Figures & data
Figure 1 The complex network of interactions between cellular components in TME. In TME, pro-tumor cells promote angiogenesis, ECM remodeling, and immune escape via secreting various cytokines and chemokines, such as VEGF, MMPs, CCL17, CXCL20, and so on. Meanwhile, pro-tumor cells also inhibit the function of anti-tumor cells through the release of several cytokines, such as IL-10, NO, TGF-β, ROS, and so on. The imbalance between pro-tumor strength and anti-tumor strength forms an immunosuppressive TME, which significantly promotes the malignant progression as well as the recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance of HCC.
Abbreviations: IL-4, interleukin-4; IL-10, interleukin-10; CSF-1, colony-stimulating factor 1; CXCL12, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; CCL2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2; CXCL8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8; IL-6, interleukin-6; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; CCL17, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 17; CCL20, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20; MMPs, matrix metallopeptidases; IFN-γ, interferon-γ; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; NO, nitric oxide; BMP2, bone morphogenetic protein 2; IDO1, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TIM-3, T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3; HSCs, hepatic stellate cells; MSCs, mesenchymal stromal cells; SDF-1, stromal cell-derived factor-1; VM, vasculogenic mimicry; HGF, hepatocyte growth factor; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; c-MET/FRA1/HEY1, cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor/FOS-related antigen 1/hes related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 1.
Table 1 The Functions and the Targets of Various Growth Factors in TME of HCC
Table 2 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in HCC
Table 3 CAR-T and TCR-T Cell Therapy
Table 4 Immunotherapy Combined with Targeted Therapy for HCC