Immunosuppressive CD10+ALPL+ neutrophils promote resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in HCC by mediating irreversible exhaustion of T cells

Herein, we discovered that tumor cells reprogrammed CD10⁺ALPL⁺ neutrophils to induce the "irreversible" exhaustion of T cells and hence allow tumors to escape from the intended effects of anti-PD-1 treatment. Our data provided a new theoretical basis for the elucidation of special cell populations and revealed a molecular mechanism underpinning resistance to immunotherapy. Targeting these cells alongside existing immunotherapy could be looked at as a potentially more effective therapeutic approach.