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Single-cell RNA sequencing-derived signatures define response patterns to atezolizumab + bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Cappuyns S, Piqué-Gili M, Esteban-Fabró R, Philips G, Balaseviciute U, Pinyol R, Gris-Oliver A, Vandecaveye V et al.. Journal of hepatology, 2024-12-19
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background & aims The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (atezo+bev) is the current standard of care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), providing a median overall survival (OS) of 19.2 months. Here, we aim to uncover the underlying cellular processes driving clinical benefit vs. resistance to atezo+bev. Methods We harnessed the power of single-cell RNA sequencing in advanced HCC to derive gene expression signatures recapitulating 21 cell phenotypes.
Key findings
- Here, we aim to uncover the underlying cellular processes driving clinical benefit vs. resistance to atezo+bev.
- Methods We harnessed the power of single-cell RNA sequencing in advanced HCC to derive gene expression signatures recapitulating 21 cell phenotypes.
- These signatures were applied to 422 RNA-sequencing samples of patients with advanced HCC treated with atezo+bev (n = 317) vs. atezolizumab (n = 47) or sorafenib (n = 58) as comparators.
- Results We unveiled two distinct patterns of response to atezo+bev.
Why it matters
This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to define response patterns to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in advanced liver cancer. It does not study Alzheimer's disease and provides no information on treating, curing or preventing it.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Genetics →
Study details
- Participants317
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 59/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of hepatology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of Hepatology: journal h-index 382 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 317 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 65 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 21.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 14.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 65 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Josep Maria Llovet: h-index 156 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique: institution h-index 2,511 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 38 institution(s) in 8 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39709141) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 59 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.12.016
- PubMed: 39709141
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of Hepatology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Cappuyns, S., Piqué-Gili, M., Esteban-Fabró, R., Philips, G., Balaseviciute, U., Pinyol, R., et al. (2025). Single-cell RNA sequencing-derived signatures define response patterns to atezolizumab + bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of hepatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2024.12.016
Vancouver
Cappuyns S, Piqué-Gili M, Esteban-Fabró R, Philips G, Balaseviciute U, Pinyol R, et al. Single-cell RNA sequencing-derived signatures define response patterns to atezolizumab + bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of hepatology. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2024.12.016. PMID: 39709141.
BibTeX
@article{cappuyns2025-39709141,
author = {Cappuyns, S. and Piqué-Gili, M. and Esteban-Fabró, R. and Philips, G. and Balaseviciute, U. and Pinyol, R. and Gris-Oliver, A. and Vandecaveye, V. and others},
title = {{Single-cell RNA sequencing-derived signatures define response patterns to atezolizumab + bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma}},
journal = {Journal of hepatology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhep.2024.12.016},
pmid = {39709141},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2024.12.016}
}
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