Research progress regarding programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors combined with targeted therapy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma

In recent years, a number of targeted therapeutic agents have achieved success in phase III trials in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including sorafenib, lenvatinib, and regorafenib. Immunotherapy is considered to be an effective treatment for advanced HCC. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are important antitumor immunotherapy agents that represent breakthroughs in the treatment of advanced HCC. However, treating advanced HCC is still a great challenge, and the need for new treatments remains urgent. This review briefly summarizes the research progress in the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with targeted therapy for treating HCC.

Automated summary

Recent years have seen success in phase III trials for targeted therapeutic agents in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with immunotherapy also considered effective. However, treating advanced HCC remains a challenge, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments.