Research advances in immune checkpoint treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has reformed the situation of cancer management. Encouraging results have been revealed in early stage studies about ICIs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Results of a recent phase Ⅲ study of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenesis therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma have achieved a positive result, showing superior advantages in efficacy and safety compared with standard manage-ment. At present, lots of studies in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with ICIs combining with traditional therapy like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, antiangiogenetic therapy, locore-gional therapy and another ICIs are held globally. These results will update the strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma.