Bie-Jia-Jian Pill: Inhibiting tumor glycolysis and promoting CD8+ cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity by targeting HIF-1α-PI3K/AKT/mTOR and CCL20 in hepatocellular carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: T cells. Targeting this metabolism to restore immunity is a promising strategy. Bie-Jia-Jian Pill (BJJP), a traditional formula for "softening hardness and dissipating masses," conceptually aligns with modulating the TME. However, its role in reprogramming tumor metabolism to enhance immunotherapy remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to investigate if BJJP enhances anti-tumor immunity by inhibiting the Warburg effect, elucidate its molecular mechanism, and evaluate its synergy with PD-L1 blockade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T cells and tumor markers were assessed in vitro and in vivo using flow cytometry. Transcriptomics, metabolomics, Seahorse metabolic assays, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence staining were employed to identify and validate the mechanisms and targets of BJJP. Its targeting capabilities were confirmed by lentivirus and siRNA transfections, network pharmacology and molecular docking. RESULTS: T cells. CONCLUSION: T cell immune response, and modulate the tumor microenvironment, thereby exerting anti-tumor effects against HCC. When used in combination with immunotherapy, BJJP can improve treatment efficacy, providing valuable evidence for clinical treatment.