Early Hepatic Lesions Display Immature Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and Show Elevated Expression of Immune Inhibitory and Immunosuppressive Molecules.

Local immune activation occurs in the very early steps of liver carcinogenesis; however, it may not be fully efficient and paradoxically favor immune evasion and progression to full-blown HCC. These results have implications for the development of anti-HCC chemopreventive strategies in cirrhotic patients.