Introduction: Atezolizumab-bevacizumab (AB) and durvalumab-tremelimumab (DT) combination therapies are widely used for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). However, the optimal predictors of the therapeutic response remain unclear. Interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10) levels are considered potential biomarkers in immunotherapy for u-HCC and other cancers. To our knowledge, this study is the first to analyze the relationship between blood IP-10 levels and therapeutic response in patients with u-HCC receiving AB or DT.
Methods: This retrospective cohort included 106 patients who received immunotherapy for u-HCC. In these patients, IP-10 levels were quantified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using stored plasma samples at baseline and after induction, and the ratio of postinduction to baseline IP-10 levels was calculated.
Results: The initial therapeutic responses were partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) rates of 42%, 28%, and 30%, respectively. The best responses were complete response, PR, SD, and PD of 3%, 43%, 26%, and 28%, respectively. Baseline IP-10 levels in the PR group as the initial therapeutic response were higher than those in the SD/PD group (p = 0.0067). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, patients with a baseline IP-10 level >150 pg/mL showed a higher response rate than those with not high levels (62% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Moreover, the non-PD group, showing the best response, exhibited a lower IP-10 ratio before response evaluation than the PD group (p = 0.015). Achieving an IP-10 ratio <1 was independently associated with longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio 1.9, p = 0.022).
Conclusion: IP-10 levels may be useful predictors of therapeutic response in patients receiving AB or DT therapy.
Keywords: Interferon-γ-induced protein-10; Systemic therapy; Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
© 2026 S. Karger AG, Basel.