The role of immunotherapy in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the most common primary liver malignancy, accounting for approximately 75–80% of all liver cancer cases. The global incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing due to rising rates of underlying diseases, creating a significant cancer burden and a significant clinical challenge due to its often late presentation and limited effective treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment approach in various malignancies. In the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, immunotherapy has proven to be more effective than tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which have been a treatment option for a decade. Clinical trials such as the HIMALAYA and IMbrave150 have demonstrated significant survival benefits, showing superior efficacy compared to sorafenib. Despite these promising results, not all HCC patients respond to immunotherapy equally. There is a need to search for reliable prognostic and predictive biomarkers that can help predict which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy, thereby personalizing treatment and improving outcomes. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of clinical trials on immunotherapy for various stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.