Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40438106›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2025

Sex disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy: hormonal and genetic influences on treatment efficacy.

Lei Song, Liyan Sun, Yuning Ren, Xiaodan Wang, Lei Xian

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lei Song *Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Liyan Sun *Pediatric Outpatient Department, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Yuning RenKey Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Xiaodan WangKey Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Lei XianDepartment of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive liver cancer with a rising incidence globally. Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized HCC treatment, yet response rates remain variable. Sex-based disparities in immunotherapy efficacy have become increasingly recognized as important factors influencing treatment outcomes in HCC. This review examines the role of biological sex in HCC progression and immunotherapy responses. It discusses the epidemiology of sex differences in HCC incidence, prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes, highlighting the impact of sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, on immune system function and tumor biology. Estrogen's protective effects, including enhanced T cell activation and improved immune surveillance, contribute to better treatment responses in females, while testosterone's immunosuppressive effects lead to poorer outcomes in males. The review also explores the influence of the tumor microenvironment, including immune cell composition and macrophage polarization, on treatment efficacy. Emerging evidence suggests that sex-specific factors, including hormonal status, should be considered in clinical trials and personalized treatment strategies. By addressing these disparities, tailored immunotherapeutic approaches could optimize efficacy and minimize toxicity in both male and female HCC patients, ultimately improving overall outcomes.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, HepatocellularGonadal Steroid HormonesImmunotherapyLiver NeoplasmsAnimalsFemaleHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsMaleSex FactorsTreatment OutcomeTumor MicroenvironmentGonadal Steroid HormonesImmune Checkpoint Inhibitorsestrogenhepatocellular carcinomahormoneimmunotherapysex disparities

Identifiers

PMID40438106
PMCPMC12116488

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.