CCL11 promotes post-operative hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence by potentiating immunosuppressive CCR5+CD206+ M2-like macrophages and promoting tumor invasiveness

Liver resection is the primary curative treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma; however, high recurrence rates remain a major challenge in the absence of effective prognostic and preventive strategies. Here, we identified surgery-induced CCL11 as a pivotal driver of HCC recurrence through dual mechanisms of immunosuppression and tumor invasiveness. Our findings unveil CCL11 as a master regulator of the pro-tumorigenic niche post-resection, driving recurrence through coordinated immune evasion and promoting tumor invasiveness. Targeting the CCL11-CCR5/CCR3 axis presents a promising strategy to improve HCC surgical outcomes.