Unveiling the nexus of p53 and PD-L1: insights into immunotherapy resistance mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer worldwide, continues to pose a substantial health challenge with limited treatment options for advanced stages. Despite progress in therapies such as surgery, transplantation, and targeted treatments, prognosis remains bleak for many patients. The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized the landscape of advanced HCC treatment, offering hope for improved outcomes. However, its efficacy is limited, with a modest response rate of approximately 20% as a single-agent therapy, underscoring the urgent need to decipher mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance. Tumor protein 53 gene (TP53), a pivotal tumor suppressor gene, and Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a crucial immune checkpoint ligand, play central roles in HCC's evasion of immune responses. Understanding how tumor protein 53 (p53) influences PD-L1 expression and immune system interactions is essential for unraveling the complexities of immunotherapy resistance mechanisms. Elucidating these molecular interactions not only enhances our understanding of HCC's underlying mechanisms but also lays the foundation for developing targeted treatments that may improve outcomes for patients with advanced-stage liver cancer. Ultimately, deciphering the nexus of p53 and PD-L1 in immunotherapy resistance promises to advance treatment strategies and outcomes in the challenging landscape of HCC. This review delves into the intricate relationship between p53 and PD-L1 concerning immunotherapy resistance in HCC, offering insights that could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing treatment efficacy and overcoming resistance in advanced stages of the disease.