Open AccessThe Combination Immunotherapy of TLR9 Agonist and OX40 Agonist via Intratumoural Injection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Author(s) -
Zutao Zhou,
Lin Li,
Yongcheng An,
Meixiao Zhan,
Ye Chen,
Mingyue Cai,
Xiaojing Zhu,
Ligong Lu,
Kangshun Zhu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of hepatocellular carcinoma
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2253-5969
DOI - 10.2147/jhc.s301375
Subject(s) - immunotherapy , cancer research , immune system , tlr9 , cd8 , cpg oligodeoxynucleotide , cancer immunotherapy , medicine , antigen , agonist , t cell , immunology , biology , receptor , biochemistry , gene expression , dna methylation , gene
The response rate of immunotherapy via immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited due to multiple immune evasion mechanisms. OX40 is a T cell co-stimulating molecule which suppresses the cancer immune evasion by activating effector T cells (Teffs) and counteracting regulatory T cells (Tregs). TLR9 belongs to the toll-like receptor superfamily which promotes tumour antigen presentation by stimulating the maturation of dendritic cells. Though the combination immunotherapy of TLR9 agonist (CpG) and OX40 agonist (anti-OX40 antibody) has shown encouraging efficacy in various tumours, its effect on HCC remains unknown.