FGF19/FGFR4-mediated elevation of ETV4 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by upregulating PD-L1 and CCL2.

Here, we reported that ETV4 increased PD-L1 and chemokine CCL2 expression in HCC cells, which resulted in TAMs and MDSCs accumulation and CD8T cell inhibition to facilitate HCC metastasis. More importantly, we found that anti-PD-L1 combined with FGFR4 inhibitor BLU-554 or MAPK inhibitor trametinib markedly inhibited FGF19-ETV4 signaling mediated HCC metastasis. This preclinical study will provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combination immunotherapy strategies for HCC patients.