Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41136986›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Characterizing immune profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma patients benefiting from pembrolizumab and lenvatinib using machine learning.

Pei-Chang Lee, Po-Yu Li, Cheng-Yun Lee, Shian-Ren Lin, Chi-Jung Wu, Ya-Wen Hung, Yu-Hua Chen, Jun-Wen Chan, Hsien-Chen Mon, Chieh-Ju Lee and 6 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

16 authors.

Pei-Chang LeeDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Po-Yu LiFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan.
Cheng-Yun LeeFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan.
Shian-Ren LinFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan.
Chi-Jung WuDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Ya-Wen HungSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yu-Hua ChenFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan.
Jun-Wen ChanFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan.
Hsien-Chen MonDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chieh-Ju LeeDepartment of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201 Shih-Pai Rd., Sec. 2, Beitou Dist, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan.
Chen-Ta ChiDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
I-Cheng LeeDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Ming-Chih HouDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yee ChaoDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Hsiang HuangDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. yhhuang@vghtpe.gov.tw.
Jan-Mou LeeFullHope Biomedical Co., Ltd, 10 F, No. 10, Ln. 609, Sec. 5, Chongxin Rd., Sanchong Dist, New Taipei City, 241405, Taiwan. billlee@fhb.com.tw.

Funding

National Science and Technology Council MOST 108-2321-B-010 -017, MOST 109-2314-B-010-034-MY3, NSTC 112-2314-B-A49-032-MY3, NSTC 113-2314-B-075-054-MY3Taipei Veterans General Hospital V108B-038, V109C-048, V110B-031, V110C-144, V111C-107, V112B-040, V112C-070, V113C-103, V114C-127, VN111-02, VN112-11, VN113-11, VN114-10, VGHUST113-G1-9-1, and VGHUST113-G1-9-2Yin Shu-Tien Foundation Taipei Veterans General Hospital-National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Excellent Physician Scientists Cultivation Program 113-V-A-007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCombination immunotherapies, such as pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib (PL), are commonly used in treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, it remains challenging to predict which patients will benefit from this therapy. This study aimed to address this issue by comparing immune cell profiles (ICPs) between uHCC patients with objective response (responders, R) and those with tumor progression (non-responders, NR) following PL therapy, and to identify the key contributors to ICPs.

methodsWe prospectively enrolled 51 uHCC patients between July 2019 and July 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected prior to initiating PL therapy, and ICPs were analyzed according to tumor response according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. A machine learning (ML) model was developed to differentiate R from NR using baseline ICP data.

results16 patients achieved objective tumor responses, while 11 experienced disease progression following PL therapy. Responders exhibited higher levels of total T cells, CD8 T cells, and PD-1

conclusionThis study recognized distinct ICPs between uHCC patients with and without tumor response to PL therapy and identified key contributing immune subpopulations. These findings provide a foundation for developing predictive tools for clinical outcomes before initiating combination immunotherapy.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCarcinoma, HepatocellularLiver NeoplasmsMachine LearningPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesTreatment OutcomeAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedlenvatinibpembrolizumabPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesHepatocellular carcinomaImmune cell profileLenvatinibMachine learningPembrolizumab

Identifiers

PMID41136986
PMCPMC12553244

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