El Banna, Y., Abo Ayana, R., Nasr, M., Helmy, M. (2023). PD-1/PD-L1 AXIS INHIBITORS AS PROMISING STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND PITFALLS. Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 44(2), 1-8. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2023.323222
Yousra Y. El Banna; Raghda Abo Ayana; Magda Nasr; Maged W. Helmy. "PD-1/PD-L1 AXIS INHIBITORS AS PROMISING STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND PITFALLS". Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 44, 2, 2023, 1-8. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2023.323222
El Banna, Y., Abo Ayana, R., Nasr, M., Helmy, M. (2023). 'PD-1/PD-L1 AXIS INHIBITORS AS PROMISING STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND PITFALLS', Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 44(2), pp. 1-8. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2023.323222
El Banna, Y., Abo Ayana, R., Nasr, M., Helmy, M. PD-1/PD-L1 AXIS INHIBITORS AS PROMISING STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND PITFALLS. Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 2023; 44(2): 1-8. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2023.323222
PD-1/PD-L1 AXIS INHIBITORS AS PROMISING STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND PITFALLS
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical and Biological Sciences Division, College of Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt
2Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
3Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Egypt
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, has prompted exploration into innovative treatment avenues. Notably, cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy, with immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), revolutionizing cancer care. PD-1 is a crucial protein in suppressing immune responses and promoting self-tolerance by regulating T-cell function. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is responsible for immune evasion in cancer cells making it a focal point in cancer therapy. However, despite the potential of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, their clinical utility is hampered by significant immune-related adverse effects. This underscores the urgency to develop novel inhibitors, including small molecules and peptides that target the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to better meet clinical demands. This review focuses on elucidating the biological mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints and their role in both the healthy immune system and the tumor microenvironment. Limitations to this treatment approach include low response rates in certain cancers, immune-related toxicity, and the development of drug resistance. Overcoming these limitations is crucial to expand the use of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in cancer treatment and improve response rates and survival times for cancer patients