Immunophenotype of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Early Predict Response to Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a simple and reproducible blood test called a cytofluorimetric assay to help predict how patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, respond to immunotherapy treatments. This test aims to support imaging studies by identifying early signs of treatment effectiveness, ruling out false progression, and detecting when the treatment might stop working. The study also compares gene expression patterns in immune cells between patients who respond to treatment and those who do not. Participants with advanced HCC undergoing immunotherapy combined with antiangiogenic drugs will provide blood samples to assess specific immune cell markers such as CD8+, PD1+, PD-L1+, CTLA4+, LAG3+, and others. Researchers will analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) through RNA sequencing and validate these findings using RT-PCR in separate patient groups. This observational study does not involve assigning treatments but monitors patients receiving standard immunochemotherapy. During the study, participants will have their blood collected and undergo laboratory tests alongside their usual treatment and follow-up visits at the medical center. Researchers will measure immune biomarkers to predict response to immunotherapy at three months and compare gene expression between responders and non-responders. The study participation is expected to last through the treatment and follow-up period, providing valuable data to enhance early prediction of treatment response in HCC patients.

Immunophenotype of PBMC to Early Predict Response to Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma