Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) is a devastating cancer affecting children and young adults and currently does not have an effective systemic chemotherapy. How much checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy can benefit these patients is unknown, and Dr. Kim’s work seeks to define the immune checkpoint pathways in FL-HCC. Additionally, she is investigating the role of circulating tumor cells expressing these checkpoint molecules. The goal of the study is to identify immune checkpoint targets both within and outside the tumor and use the findings as a guide to treatment strategies for improving patient outcomes in clinic.
With the recent advances in immunotherapy that has entered the mainstream treatment of cancer, there is a critical need to investigate the immune checkpoint pathways in the tumor microenvironment of FLC, in order to understand if immune checkpoint inhibitors will benefit this group of patients. CRI’s financial support is fundamental in giving me the opportunity to pursue this important project.
Projects and Grants
Investigating immune checkpoint biomarkers in tissue and peripheral blood of patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | Childhood Cancer, Liver Cancer | 2016 | Robert A. Anders, M.D., Ph.D.
Let's spread the word about Immunotherapy! Click to share this page with your community.