Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

Immunotherapy and Risk Management in Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Malignancies

In recent years, immunotherapy-particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors-has dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary tract cancers, and pancreatic cancer. Combination strategies involving immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and locoregional treatments are increasingly adopted in clinical practice. However, these advances are accompanied by new and complex clinical risks. For example, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), hepatotoxicity in patients with underlying liver disease, perioperative complications, and challenges in patient selection remain critical concerns. In addition, real-world implementation often exposes gaps between clinical trial data and routine clinical outcomes.

Given the scope of Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, there is a strong need for a dedicated platform to address both the therapeutic advancements and associated risks in this rapidly evolving field.

This Article Collection will address a critical and timely topic at the intersection of therapeutic innovation and patient safety. By focusing on both efficacy and risk management, it aligns closely with the journal’s mission and will attract a broad readership including hepatologists, oncologists, surgeons, and clinical researchers. This Article Collection will provide clinically relevant insights into optimizing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing risks in patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. It is expected to serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers navigating this rapidly evolving field.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies addressing (but not limited to) the following topics:

- Clinical outcomes of immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer

- Management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in HBP patients

- Risk stratification and predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response and toxicity

- Immunotherapy in patients with chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, NAFLD/NASH)

- Combination therapies: efficacy versus toxicity balance

- Perioperative use of immunotherapy and surgical risk implications

- Real-world data and pharmacovigilance studies

- Special populations: elderly patients, frail patients, and those with comorbidities

- Health economics and quality-of-life considerations

- Multidisciplinary approaches to risk mitigation

In addition, this Article Collection actively encourages contributions on surgical strategies, encompassing technical innovations, perioperative optimization, and risk management in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, especially within multidisciplinary treatment frameworks.