The immune checkpoint blockade therapy has completely transformed cancer treatment modalities because of its unprecedented and durable clinical responses in various cancers. With the increasing use of immune checkpoint blockades in clinical practice, a large number of patients develop acquired resistance. However, the knowledge about acquired resistance to immune checkpoint blockades is limited and poorly summarized. In this review, we clarify the principal elements of acquired resistance to immune checkpoint blockades. The definition of acquired resistance is heterogeneous among groups or societies, but the expert consensus of The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer can be referred. Oligo-progression is the main pattern of acquired resistance. Acquired resistance can be derived from the selection of resistant cancer cell clones that exist in the tumor mass before therapeutic intervention or gradual acquisition in the sensitive cancer cells. Specifically, tumor intrinsic mechanisms include neoantigen depletion, defects in antigen presentation machinery, aberrations of interferon signaling, tumor-induced exclusion/immunosuppression, and tumor cell plasticity. Tumor extrinsic mechanisms include upregulation of other immune checkpoints. Presently, a set of treatment modalities is applied to patients with similar clinical characteristics or resistance mechanisms for overcoming acquired resistance, and hence, further research is required.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly incidental in South Asian countries. Nepal, however, has low incidence for HCC owing to low prevalence for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Nepal lacked national cancer registry until 2003. Though there has been some effort in having one, the current registry incorporates twelve centers and may not properly represent the total cancer burden in the country. Serology for HBV and HCV is seen to be positive in nearly 25 to 30% and 5 to 10% of HCCs respectively. Clinical characteristics of HCCs in Nepal have been discussed in this mini-review and it features poor performance status and advanced stage at presentation, making only a small fraction of these subjects eligible for curative treatment options. Most of the standard treatment modalities are available in Nepal and appear to be reasonably affordable as compared with other developed nations. How to cite this article: Shrestha A. Liver Cancer in Nepal. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2018;8(1):63-65.