Serum cell division cycle 42 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: Linkage with clinical characteristics and immune checkpoint inhibitor-related treatment outcomes.

Objective: Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) facilitates immune escape and drug resistance towards immunotherapy in several malignancies. This prospective study aimed to explore the predictive value of serum CDC42 for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treatment response and survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: Thirty advanced HCC patients scheduled for ICI or ICI-based treatment were enrolled in this prospective study, whose serum CDC42 was determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before therapy initiation.