AFP-specific CD4+ T-cell immunity in the blood and liver of patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies with limited therapeutic options. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor-associated antigen in HCC and is a target for the development of cancer vaccine. Until recently, most studies on HCC have analyzed AFP-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. However, less is known about AFP-specific CD4+ T-cell responses. Aim: In this study we characterized the frequency and function of AFP-specific CD4+ T-cell responses in a cohort of patients with HCC in blood and liver. Methods: Peripheral blood and intrahepatic lymphocytes of patients with HCC and he…