Immunotherapy prototype Mark 3.0 model in primary liver cancer: adding locoregional stereotactic therapy and prognostic factors classification management

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor have shown considerable efficacy in several important cancers including primary liver cancer (PLC) like hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. However, only some patients with PLC will benefit, so combination therapy and biomarker classification detected by next-generation sequencing or immunohistochemistry are very important. Herein, we briefly summarize ICI-based therapies and stratify these evolving therapies for advanced PLC into three stages of immunotherapies Mark (Mk.) 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. We illustrated the significance of ICI monotherapy (Mk. 1.0), offering combinational approaches with traditional strategies (Mk. 2.0) and additional locoregional therapy (Mk. 3.0) to achieve longer survival and even meet the “No Evidence of Disease” status. We also highlight the importance of biomarkers and prognostic factors for patients with advanced PLC treated with ICI-based therapies. Multidisciplinary team management should be investigated and collaborated closely to manage adverse events and sequential therapy suggestions for patients.