Figure 1.

A schematic overview of the tumor immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver cancer cells and immune cells interact dynamically through cell–cell contact and the secretion and recognition of soluble factors, such as cytokines. Among various immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of HCC, regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), M2-type tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and Kupffer cells (KCs) suppress anti-tumor immunity, whereas cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and dendritic cells (DCs) promote immune tumor rejection.