Are intrahepatic B cells the next breakthrough in immunotherapy for liver cancer?

Project summary

B cells play a vital role in adaptive immunity by generating neutralizing antibodies against pathogens and providing long-term protection. Recent studies highlight the significance of tumor-infiltrating B cells in the immune response against cancer. Liver cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer globally, with chronic hepatitis B patients facing a 10- to 25-fold higher risk of developing it. However, a comprehensive understanding of tumor-infiltrating B cells in liver cancer remains lacking. This project seeks to address this gap through detailed spatial analysis and B-cell receptor sequencing of intrahepatic B cells in livers of patients with HBV-induced liver cancer.