Cellular Cancer Immunotherapy in the Liver Transplant Population for HCC: An Attractive Therapeutic Option for the Next Decade.

Immunocytotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver transplantation (LT) remains the primary option for curing HCC; however, post-transplant tumor recurrence and the development of new malignancies significantly impact patient prognosis. The application of immune cell therapy in LT for HCC may reestablish antitumor immunity following transplantation without increasing the risk of rejection. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the suppressive tumor-immune status and its impact on tumor recurrence and the development of neoplastic tumors after LT for HCC. We also examine the latest cellular cancer immunotherapy regimens for solid tumors, with a particular focus on HCC, and discuss their limitations. Finally, we summarize the challenges of applying cellular cancer immunotherapy in LT, including the potential induction of acute rejection and the suppressive effects of immunosuppressive agents, as well as potential coping strategies. In conclusion, cellular cancer immunotherapy may offer a potentially effective treatment for tumor recurrence in LT for HCC.