Hepatocellular Carcinoma and CAR-T Cell Therapy in Appalachia and Beyond
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality without effective treatment. The Appalachian region is identified as a likely high-risk area. Surgical resection is the current leading treatment despite drawbacks such as recurrence and decreased post-op quality of life. While CAR-T cell therapy has shown promising results in hematological malignancy, employing it for solid tumors like HCC is now a growing field of interest. Ballad Health HCC data sets (n=40) were analyzed to compare characteristics of HCC patients in Appalachia against the general U.S. Key variables included age, gender, prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and tumor characteristics. Literature research was performed to understand CAR T-cell therapy and clinical trials status to assess future development of CAR T-cell therapy for treating HCC. The Appalachian HCC population demonstrated a significantly higher mean age (69.6 years vs. 65 years; p = 0.0017) compared to the general U.S. HCC population. There was no significant difference in male predominance (86.1% vs. 75%; p = 0.1757) between the two groups. NAFLD prevalence was substantially higher in the Appalachian cohort (66.7% vs. 30%; p < 0.0001). AFLD prevalence did not differ significantly between the two populations (19.4% vs. 15%; p = 0.4806). Literature review identified c-MET, PD-1, Glypican-3, EpCAM, and alpha-fetoprotein as the major CAR T-cell targets of interest in clinical development for treating HCC. Multiple Phase I-II clinical trials are ongoing, with mixed clinical results identified. Our lab developed c-Met-targeted CAR T-cells derived from Appalachian HCC patients showing efficacy in inhibiting MET-positive HCC cells. Our results suggest statistical significance in Appalachian prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a likely risk factor, with factors such as dietary habits and health literacy possibly at play. While CAR T-Cell therapy in HCC has shown promising results in animal models, clinical efficacy requires further evaluation.
Start Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 3:30 PM
Room Number
304
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Faculty Mentor
Qian Xie
Hepatocellular Carcinoma and CAR-T Cell Therapy in Appalachia and Beyond
304
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality without effective treatment. The Appalachian region is identified as a likely high-risk area. Surgical resection is the current leading treatment despite drawbacks such as recurrence and decreased post-op quality of life. While CAR-T cell therapy has shown promising results in hematological malignancy, employing it for solid tumors like HCC is now a growing field of interest. Ballad Health HCC data sets (n=40) were analyzed to compare characteristics of HCC patients in Appalachia against the general U.S. Key variables included age, gender, prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and tumor characteristics. Literature research was performed to understand CAR T-cell therapy and clinical trials status to assess future development of CAR T-cell therapy for treating HCC. The Appalachian HCC population demonstrated a significantly higher mean age (69.6 years vs. 65 years; p = 0.0017) compared to the general U.S. HCC population. There was no significant difference in male predominance (86.1% vs. 75%; p = 0.1757) between the two groups. NAFLD prevalence was substantially higher in the Appalachian cohort (66.7% vs. 30%; p < 0.0001). AFLD prevalence did not differ significantly between the two populations (19.4% vs. 15%; p = 0.4806). Literature review identified c-MET, PD-1, Glypican-3, EpCAM, and alpha-fetoprotein as the major CAR T-cell targets of interest in clinical development for treating HCC. Multiple Phase I-II clinical trials are ongoing, with mixed clinical results identified. Our lab developed c-Met-targeted CAR T-cells derived from Appalachian HCC patients showing efficacy in inhibiting MET-positive HCC cells. Our results suggest statistical significance in Appalachian prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a likely risk factor, with factors such as dietary habits and health literacy possibly at play. While CAR T-Cell therapy in HCC has shown promising results in animal models, clinical efficacy requires further evaluation.