Introduction: For patients with large unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the effectiveness of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) remains suboptimal. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of modified TACE using low-dose chemotherapy with blank microspheres (BMS-TACE) plus low-dose lenvatinib (LD-LEN) and microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with large unresectable HCC. Methods: In this prospective, single-arm, phase 2 study, patients with unresectable HCC exceeding the up-to-seven criteria, with maximum tumor diameter ≥7 cm, and without macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases, received initial BMS-TACE (lipiodol, low-dose doxorubicin, and lobaplatin up to 30 mg each, and blank microspheres; subsequently modified and repeated in most patients) plus LD-LEN (4–8 mg/day) and MWA. The primary endpoint was downstaging rate (DSR); secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events. Results: From November 2019 to March 2022, 43 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 21.2 months. Median largest tumor diameter was 11.2 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 7–25). Following BMS-TACE and LD-LEN, downstaging occurred in 37 (86.0%) patients, 32 of whom received MWA, and 8 of whom had a complete response (CR) without MWA. ORR was 93.0% (CR in 32 [74.4%] and partial response in 8 [18.6%] patients). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 57.5%, 25.9%, and 18.1%, respectively (median PFS, 14.7 months [95% CI: 8.1–19.5]). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 85.8%, 67.7%, and 61.6%, respectively (median OS, 36.4 months [95% CI: 26.8-not reached]). After BMS-TACE, a significant decline in CD11b+/CD33+/HLA-DR- myeloid-derived suppressor cells and early elevation in CXCR5+/CD8+ and CXCR5+/CD4+ T cells were observed (both p < 0.05). Conclusion: BMS-TACE plus LD-LEN and MWA resulted in promising efficacy and tolerable toxicity in patients with large unresectable HCC exceeding the up-to-seven criteria with a maximum tumor diameter ≥7 cm and without macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases.
{"title":"A Prospective, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study of Modified Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Low-Dose Chemotherapy with Blank Microspheres Plus Low-Dose Lenvatinib and Microwave Ablation in Patients with Large (≥7 cm) Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The TALEM Trial","authors":"Zhi-Mei Huang, Xue Han, Jian Wang, Ling Gu, Lu Tang, Shao-Yong Wu, Tian Di, Yingwen Hou, Wan Yee Lau, Yi-Quan Jiang, Jin-Hua Huang","doi":"10.1159/000536518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000536518","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: For patients with large unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the effectiveness of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) remains suboptimal. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of modified TACE using low-dose chemotherapy with blank microspheres (BMS-TACE) plus low-dose lenvatinib (LD-LEN) and microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with large unresectable HCC. Methods: In this prospective, single-arm, phase 2 study, patients with unresectable HCC exceeding the up-to-seven criteria, with maximum tumor diameter ≥7 cm, and without macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases, received initial BMS-TACE (lipiodol, low-dose doxorubicin, and lobaplatin up to 30 mg each, and blank microspheres; subsequently modified and repeated in most patients) plus LD-LEN (4–8 mg/day) and MWA. The primary endpoint was downstaging rate (DSR); secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events. Results: From November 2019 to March 2022, 43 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 21.2 months. Median largest tumor diameter was 11.2 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 7–25). Following BMS-TACE and LD-LEN, downstaging occurred in 37 (86.0%) patients, 32 of whom received MWA, and 8 of whom had a complete response (CR) without MWA. ORR was 93.0% (CR in 32 [74.4%] and partial response in 8 [18.6%] patients). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 57.5%, 25.9%, and 18.1%, respectively (median PFS, 14.7 months [95% CI: 8.1–19.5]). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 85.8%, 67.7%, and 61.6%, respectively (median OS, 36.4 months [95% CI: 26.8-not reached]). After BMS-TACE, a significant decline in CD11b+/CD33+/HLA-DR- myeloid-derived suppressor cells and early elevation in CXCR5+/CD8+ and CXCR5+/CD4+ T cells were observed (both p < 0.05). Conclusion: BMS-TACE plus LD-LEN and MWA resulted in promising efficacy and tolerable toxicity in patients with large unresectable HCC exceeding the up-to-seven criteria with a maximum tumor diameter ≥7 cm and without macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140486830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhen-Xin Zeng, Jia-Yi Wu, Jun-Yi Wu, Zhi-Bo Zhang, Kai Wang, Shao-Wu Zhuang, Bin Li, Jian-Yin Zhou, Zhong-Tai Lin, Shuqun Li, Yinan Li, Yang-Kai Fu, Mao-Lin Yan
Introduction: Transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor (triple therapy) has displayed encouraging clinical outcomes for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We aimed to explore the prognostic value of pathological response (PR) in patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy and identify predictors of major pathological response (MPR). Methods: A total of 76 patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy were retrospectively analyzed. PR was calculated as the proportion of nonviable tumor cell surface area of the whole tumor bed surface area. MPR was identified when PR was ≥90%. Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as the absence of viable tumor cells. Results: MPR and pCR were identified in 53 (69.7%) and 25 (32.9%) patients, respectively. The 1- and 2-year overall survival in patients with MPR were significantly higher than in those without MPR (100.0% and 91.3% vs. 67.7% and 19.4%; p < 0.001). The corresponding recurrence-free survival was also improved in patients with MPR compared to those without (75.9% and 50.8% vs. 22.3% and 11.2%; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed among patients with pCR and those without. Patients who achieved MPR without pCR exhibited survival rates comparable to those of patients who achieved pCR. Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥2.6 (p = 0.016) and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level ≥400 ng/mL (p = 0.015) were independent predictors of MPR. Conclusion: The presence of MPR or pCR could improve prognosis in patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy. The PR may become a surrogate marker for predicting the prognosis of these patients.
{"title":"Prognostic Value of Pathological Response for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Conversion Surgery","authors":"Zhen-Xin Zeng, Jia-Yi Wu, Jun-Yi Wu, Zhi-Bo Zhang, Kai Wang, Shao-Wu Zhuang, Bin Li, Jian-Yin Zhou, Zhong-Tai Lin, Shuqun Li, Yinan Li, Yang-Kai Fu, Mao-Lin Yan","doi":"10.1159/000536376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000536376","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor (triple therapy) has displayed encouraging clinical outcomes for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We aimed to explore the prognostic value of pathological response (PR) in patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy and identify predictors of major pathological response (MPR). Methods: A total of 76 patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy were retrospectively analyzed. PR was calculated as the proportion of nonviable tumor cell surface area of the whole tumor bed surface area. MPR was identified when PR was ≥90%. Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as the absence of viable tumor cells. Results: MPR and pCR were identified in 53 (69.7%) and 25 (32.9%) patients, respectively. The 1- and 2-year overall survival in patients with MPR were significantly higher than in those without MPR (100.0% and 91.3% vs. 67.7% and 19.4%; p < 0.001). The corresponding recurrence-free survival was also improved in patients with MPR compared to those without (75.9% and 50.8% vs. 22.3% and 11.2%; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed among patients with pCR and those without. Patients who achieved MPR without pCR exhibited survival rates comparable to those of patients who achieved pCR. Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥2.6 (p = 0.016) and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level ≥400 ng/mL (p = 0.015) were independent predictors of MPR. Conclusion: The presence of MPR or pCR could improve prognosis in patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion surgery following triple therapy. The PR may become a surrogate marker for predicting the prognosis of these patients.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140492540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiufeng Liu, Yinying Lu, Weiping Zhou, Tao Peng, Jie Zhou, Huaqiang Bi, Feng Xia, Xiaoping Chen
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combination therapy modalities for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have achieved significant efficacy in clinical research and practice and have become the mainstay for the treatment of unresectable HCC. To better help clinicians use combination immunotherapy drugs and regimens rationally, effectively, and safely, the editorial board facilitated a discussion with multidisciplinary experts in the field, adopted the "Delphi" consensus formation method, and finally revised and completed the "Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs)-Based Combination Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2023 Edition)" on the basis of the 2021 edition. This consensus primarily focuses on the principles and methods of clinical practice of combination therapy based on ICIs, aiming to summarize the recommendations for clinical application based on the latest research and expert experience and provide application guidance for clinicians.
{"title":"Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI)-Based Combination Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2023 Edition)","authors":"Xiufeng Liu, Yinying Lu, Weiping Zhou, Tao Peng, Jie Zhou, Huaqiang Bi, Feng Xia, Xiaoping Chen","doi":"10.1159/000535496","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535496","url":null,"abstract":"Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combination therapy modalities for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have achieved significant efficacy in clinical research and practice and have become the mainstay for the treatment of unresectable HCC. To better help clinicians use combination immunotherapy drugs and regimens rationally, effectively, and safely, the editorial board facilitated a discussion with multidisciplinary experts in the field, adopted the \"Delphi\" consensus formation method, and finally revised and completed the \"Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs)-Based Combination Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2023 Edition)\" on the basis of the 2021 edition. This consensus primarily focuses on the principles and methods of clinical practice of combination therapy based on ICIs, aiming to summarize the recommendations for clinical application based on the latest research and expert experience and provide application guidance for clinicians.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139620170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shukui Qin, Weijia Fang, Zhenggang Ren, Shuangyan Ou, Ho Yeong Lim, Feng Zhang, Kin Chung Lee, Hye Jin Choi, Jiandong Tong, Min Tao, A. Xu, Ashley Cheng, Chang-Hsien Lu, Chang-Fang Chiu, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Wahid, Shital Kamble, Josephine M. Norquist, Wenyan Zhong, Chen Li, Zhendong Chen
Introduction KEYNOTE-394 showed pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate with manageable safety versus placebo for patients from Asia with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. We present results on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods HRQoL was evaluated using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaires. Key HRQoL endpoints were least squares mean (LSM) score changes from baseline to week 12 and time to deterioration (TTD) for EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status (GHS)/QoL. p values were one-sided and nominal without adjustment for multiplicity. Results The HRQoL population included patients randomly assigned to pembrolizumab (n = 298) and placebo (n = 152). From baseline to week 12, a greater decline in EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL score was observed with placebo (LSM, −8.4; 95% CI: −11.7 to −5.1) versus pembrolizumab (−4.0; 95% CI: −6.4 to −1.6; difference vs placebo: 4.4; 95% CI: 0.5–8.4; nominal p = 0.0142). Similarly, a greater decline in EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale score was observed with placebo (−6.9; 95% CI: −9.4 to −4.5) versus pembrolizumab (−2.7; 95% CI: −4.5 to −1.0; difference vs placebo: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.2–7.2; nominal p = 0.0030). TTD in EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL score was similar between arms (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.58–1.25; nominal p = 0.1993). Conclusion Patients receiving placebo showed greater decline in HRQoL than those receiving pembrolizumab. Combined with efficacy and safety data from KEYNOTE-394 and the global KEYNOTE-240 and KEYNOTE-224 trials, our data support the clinically meaningful benefit and manageable tolerability of pembrolizumab as second-line therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
{"title":"A Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo for Previously Treated Patients From Asia With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Health-Related Quality of Life Analysis From KEYNOTE-394","authors":"Shukui Qin, Weijia Fang, Zhenggang Ren, Shuangyan Ou, Ho Yeong Lim, Feng Zhang, Kin Chung Lee, Hye Jin Choi, Jiandong Tong, Min Tao, A. Xu, Ashley Cheng, Chang-Hsien Lu, Chang-Fang Chiu, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Wahid, Shital Kamble, Josephine M. Norquist, Wenyan Zhong, Chen Li, Zhendong Chen","doi":"10.1159/000535338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535338","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000KEYNOTE-394 showed pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate with manageable safety versus placebo for patients from Asia with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. We present results on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000HRQoL was evaluated using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaires. Key HRQoL endpoints were least squares mean (LSM) score changes from baseline to week 12 and time to deterioration (TTD) for EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status (GHS)/QoL. p values were one-sided and nominal without adjustment for multiplicity.\u0000\u0000Results\u0000The HRQoL population included patients randomly assigned to pembrolizumab (n = 298) and placebo (n = 152). From baseline to week 12, a greater decline in EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL score was observed with placebo (LSM, −8.4; 95% CI: −11.7 to −5.1) versus pembrolizumab (−4.0; 95% CI: −6.4 to −1.6; difference vs placebo: 4.4; 95% CI: 0.5–8.4; nominal p = 0.0142). Similarly, a greater decline in EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale score was observed with placebo (−6.9; 95% CI: −9.4 to −4.5) versus pembrolizumab (−2.7; 95% CI: −4.5 to −1.0; difference vs placebo: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.2–7.2; nominal p = 0.0030). TTD in EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL score was similar between arms (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.58–1.25; nominal p = 0.1993).\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Patients receiving placebo showed greater decline in HRQoL than those receiving pembrolizumab. Combined with efficacy and safety data from KEYNOTE-394 and the global KEYNOTE-240 and KEYNOTE-224 trials, our data support the clinically meaningful benefit and manageable tolerability of pembrolizumab as second-line therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139440684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gi-Ae Kim, Seogsong Jeong, Heejoon Jang, Dong Hyeon Lee, S. Joo, Won Kim
Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the liver-related outcomes of newly suggested metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD), as well as alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Methods: From a National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort, we included 369,094 participants who underwent health check-ups between 2009 and 2010 in South Korea. SLD was defined as a fatty liver index ≥60. The risk of primary liver cancer (PLCa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), incident cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis was compared with no steatotic liver disease (SLD). The subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) was calculated using the Fine–Gray model regarding competing risks. Results: A total of 3,232 participants (0.9%) developed PLCa during the median follow-up of 3,227,176 person-years: 0.5% with no SLD, 1.1% with MASLD, 1.3% with MetALD, and 1.9% with ALD. Competing risk analysis revealed that compared with no SLD, MASLD (SHR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.44−1.88), MetALD (SHR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.52−2.29), and ALD (SHR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.39−2.49) were associated with an increased risk of PLCa. MASLD (SHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.67−2.31), MetALD (SHR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.75−2.84), and ALD (SHR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.67−3.29) were associated with a higher risk of HCC. No significant difference was observed in the risk of iCCA. The risk of incident cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis increased in the order of no SLD, MASLD, MetALD, and ALD. Conclusion: MASLD, MetALD, and ALD have an increased risk of PLCa, HCC, incident cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis but not iCCA. These findings may serve as a robust ground for the prognostic value of the newly suggested MASLD and MetALD.
{"title":"MASLD and MetALD increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and incident or decompensated cirrhosis: a Korean nationwide study","authors":"Gi-Ae Kim, Seogsong Jeong, Heejoon Jang, Dong Hyeon Lee, S. Joo, Won Kim","doi":"10.1159/000535943","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535943","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the liver-related outcomes of newly suggested metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD), as well as alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).\u0000Methods: From a National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort, we included 369,094 participants who underwent health check-ups between 2009 and 2010 in South Korea. SLD was defined as a fatty liver index ≥60. The risk of primary liver cancer (PLCa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), incident cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis was compared with no steatotic liver disease (SLD). The subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) was calculated using the Fine–Gray model regarding competing risks.\u0000Results: A total of 3,232 participants (0.9%) developed PLCa during the median follow-up of 3,227,176 person-years: 0.5% with no SLD, 1.1% with MASLD, 1.3% with MetALD, and 1.9% with ALD. Competing risk analysis revealed that compared with no SLD, MASLD (SHR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.44−1.88), MetALD (SHR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.52−2.29), and ALD (SHR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.39−2.49) were associated with an increased risk of PLCa. MASLD (SHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.67−2.31), MetALD (SHR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.75−2.84), and ALD (SHR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.67−3.29) were associated with a higher risk of HCC. No significant difference was observed in the risk of iCCA. The risk of incident cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis increased in the order of no SLD, MASLD, MetALD, and ALD.\u0000Conclusion: MASLD, MetALD, and ALD have an increased risk of PLCa, HCC, incident cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis but not iCCA. These findings may serve as a robust ground for the prognostic value of the newly suggested MASLD and MetALD.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138946984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Nam, Jaejun Lee, J. Han, S. Lee, Hyun Yang, H. Lee, P. Sung, H. Kim, Seok-Hwan Kim, Myeong Jun Song, J. Kwon, Chang Wook Kim, S. Nam, Si Hyun Bae, J. Choi, S. Yoon, J. W. Jang
Background: Despite the emergence of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (A+B) as standard first-line systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a comprehensive understanding of the clinical significance of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remains limited. We aimed to assess the impact of irAEs on patients with HCC undergoing A+B treatment. Methods: This multicentre retrospective study included consecutive patients with HCC who were treated with the A+B regimen from September 2020 to December 2022. Patients were categorised into three groups based on the severity of irAEs, ranging from those without any experience of irAEs to those with severe irAEs, classified as grade 3 or higher. Results: This study included 150 patients with HCC, with a mean age of 63.3 years. Among them, 93.3% of patients were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C, 52.0% had portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT), and 60.7% extrahepatic spread. Patients were classified as follows: Group 1 (n = 84) had no irAEs, Group 2 (n = 37) had mild irAEs (grade 1–2), and Group 3 (n = 29) had severe irAEs (grade ≥ 3). The median overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD) were 13.6, 5.7, and 3.6 months, respectively. Group 2 demonstrated significantly superior OS compared to Group 1 (9.5 months) and Group 3 (5.6 months), with a median OS of 23.0 months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Group 2 demonstrated significantly better outcomes in terms of PFS and TTD compared to both Group 1 and Group 3 (p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis identified mild irAEs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.353; p = 0.010), ALBI grade 1 (HR, 0.389; p = 0.006), Child-Pugh class A (HR, 0.338; p = 0.002), and the absence of PVTT (HR, 0.556; p = 0.043) as independent predictors of better OS. Conclusions: Our study highlights the significant impact of irAE severity on the outcomes of patients with HCC receiving A+B. Notably, the occurrence of mild irAEs was independently associated with favourable survival, suggesting their potential role as surrogate indicators of HCC prognosis.
{"title":"Analysis of Immune-Related Adverse Events of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study","authors":"H. Nam, Jaejun Lee, J. Han, S. Lee, Hyun Yang, H. Lee, P. Sung, H. Kim, Seok-Hwan Kim, Myeong Jun Song, J. Kwon, Chang Wook Kim, S. Nam, Si Hyun Bae, J. Choi, S. Yoon, J. W. Jang","doi":"10.1159/000535839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535839","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Despite the emergence of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (A+B) as standard first-line systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a comprehensive understanding of the clinical significance of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remains limited. We aimed to assess the impact of irAEs on patients with HCC undergoing A+B treatment.\u0000Methods: This multicentre retrospective study included consecutive patients with HCC who were treated with the A+B regimen from September 2020 to December 2022. Patients were categorised into three groups based on the severity of irAEs, ranging from those without any experience of irAEs to those with severe irAEs, classified as grade 3 or higher.\u0000Results: This study included 150 patients with HCC, with a mean age of 63.3 years. Among them, 93.3% of patients were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C, 52.0% had portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT), and 60.7% extrahepatic spread. Patients were classified as follows: Group 1 (n = 84) had no irAEs, Group 2 (n = 37) had mild irAEs (grade 1–2), and Group 3 (n = 29) had severe irAEs (grade ≥ 3). The median overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD) were 13.6, 5.7, and 3.6 months, respectively. Group 2 demonstrated significantly superior OS compared to Group 1 (9.5 months) and Group 3 (5.6 months), with a median OS of 23.0 months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Group 2 demonstrated significantly better outcomes in terms of PFS and TTD compared to both Group 1 and Group 3 (p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis identified mild irAEs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.353; p = 0.010), ALBI grade 1 (HR, 0.389; p = 0.006), Child-Pugh class A (HR, 0.338; p = 0.002), and the absence of PVTT (HR, 0.556; p = 0.043) as independent predictors of better OS.\u0000Conclusions: Our study highlights the significant impact of irAE severity on the outcomes of patients with HCC receiving A+B. Notably, the occurrence of mild irAEs was independently associated with favourable survival, suggesting their potential role as surrogate indicators of HCC prognosis.\u0000","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138951750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Objective Response to Systemic Therapy is a Strong Predictor of Overall Survival in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma","authors":"Masatoshi Kudo","doi":"10.1159/000535516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535516","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2023-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139214465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Ichida, J. Arita, E. Hatano, S. Eguchi, A. Saiura, Hiroaki Nagano, J. Shindoh, Masaji Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Takemura, K. Taura, Y. Sakamoto, Yu Takahashi, Y. Seyama, Yasuharu Sasaki, Kohei Uemura, N. Kokudo, Kiyoshi Hasegawa
Introduction: The phase III REFLECT trial demonstrated that lenvatinib was superior to sorafenib in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression, and objective response rate (ORR) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of preoperative lenvatinib therapy for patients with oncologically or technically unresectable HCC. Methods: In this multicenter single-arm phase II trial, patients with advanced HCC and factors suggestive of a poor prognosis (macroscopic vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, or multinodular tumors) were enrolled. Patients with these factors, even with technically resectable HCC, were defined as oncologically unresectable because of the expected poor prognosis after surgery. After 8 weeks of lenvatinib therapy, the patients were assessed for resectability, and tumor resection was performed if the tumor was considered technically resectable. The primary endpoint was the surgical resection rate. The secondary endpoints were the macroscopic curative resection rate, overall survival (OS), ORR, PFS, and the change in the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes as measured before and after lenvatinib therapy. The trial was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (s031190057). Results: Between July 2019 and January 2021, 49 patients (42 oncologically unresectable patients and 7 technically unresectable patients) from 11 centers were enrolled. The ORR was 37.5% based on mRECIST and 12.5% based on RECIST version 1.1. Thirty-three patients underwent surgery (surgical resection rate: 67.3%) without perioperative mortality. The surgical resection rate was 76.2% for oncologically unresectable patients and 14.3% for technically unresectable patients. The 1-year OS rate and median PFS were 75.9% and 7.2 months, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 9.3 months. Conclusions: The relatively high surgical resection rate seen in this study suggests the safety and feasibility of lenvatinib therapy followed by surgical resection for patients with oncologically or technically unresectable HCC.
{"title":"A Multicenter Phase 2 Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Preoperative Lenvatinib Therapy for Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LENS-HCC Trial)","authors":"A. Ichida, J. Arita, E. Hatano, S. Eguchi, A. Saiura, Hiroaki Nagano, J. Shindoh, Masaji Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Takemura, K. Taura, Y. Sakamoto, Yu Takahashi, Y. Seyama, Yasuharu Sasaki, Kohei Uemura, N. Kokudo, Kiyoshi Hasegawa","doi":"10.1159/000535514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535514","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The phase III REFLECT trial demonstrated that lenvatinib was superior to sorafenib in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression, and objective response rate (ORR) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of preoperative lenvatinib therapy for patients with oncologically or technically unresectable HCC. Methods: In this multicenter single-arm phase II trial, patients with advanced HCC and factors suggestive of a poor prognosis (macroscopic vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, or multinodular tumors) were enrolled. Patients with these factors, even with technically resectable HCC, were defined as oncologically unresectable because of the expected poor prognosis after surgery. After 8 weeks of lenvatinib therapy, the patients were assessed for resectability, and tumor resection was performed if the tumor was considered technically resectable. The primary endpoint was the surgical resection rate. The secondary endpoints were the macroscopic curative resection rate, overall survival (OS), ORR, PFS, and the change in the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes as measured before and after lenvatinib therapy. The trial was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (s031190057). Results: Between July 2019 and January 2021, 49 patients (42 oncologically unresectable patients and 7 technically unresectable patients) from 11 centers were enrolled. The ORR was 37.5% based on mRECIST and 12.5% based on RECIST version 1.1. Thirty-three patients underwent surgery (surgical resection rate: 67.3%) without perioperative mortality. The surgical resection rate was 76.2% for oncologically unresectable patients and 14.3% for technically unresectable patients. The 1-year OS rate and median PFS were 75.9% and 7.2 months, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 9.3 months. Conclusions: The relatively high surgical resection rate seen in this study suggests the safety and feasibility of lenvatinib therapy followed by surgical resection for patients with oncologically or technically unresectable HCC.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139224239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Masatoshi Kudo, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Y. Shao, R. Finn, Peter R. Galle, Michel Ducreux, Ann-Lii Cheng, Tatsuya Yamashita, Hironori Koga, R. Take, Kyoko Yamada, T. Asakawa, Yuki Nakagawa, Masafumi Ikeda
Introduction: The Phase III IMbrave150 study established atezolizumab + bevacizumab as the global standard of care in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This exploratory analysis examined the impact of bevacizumab interruption due to bevacizumab adverse events of special interest (AESIs). Methods: Patients in IMbrave150 who were randomized to atezolizumab + bevacizumab and received treatment for ≥6 months (to reduce immortal time bias) were included in group A-1 if bevacizumab had ever been skipped due to bevacizumab AESIs or to group A-2 otherwise. Efficacy analyses included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by whether bevacizumab was skipped (group A-1 vs A-2). PFS was evaluated per independent review facility (IRF)–assessed Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) version 1.1 and HCC-modified RECIST (IRF-HCC mRECIST). Safety was also evaluated. Results: Of the 210 patients who received ≥6 months of atezolizumab + bevacizumab, 69 were assigned to group A-1 and 141 to A-2. At data cutoff (August 20, 2020), hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.64, 1.69) for group A-1 vs A-2. HR for PFS was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.55) per IRF-assessed RECIST 1.1 and 1.10 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.59; 15.5 vs 9.7 months) per IRF-HCC mRECIST for group A-1 vs A-2. Safety profiles for atezolizumab and bevacizumab were largely similar between groups. More group A-1 patients had grade 3/4 adverse events. A separate analysis investigating the impact of immortal time bias in patients who received ≥3 months of atezolizumab + bevacizumab supported the appropriateness of the ≥6-month landmark analysis. Discussion/Conclusion: Efficacy was similar between patients who skipped bevacizumab due to bevacizumab AESIs and those who did not. Although this comparison was nonrandomized and exploratory, results suggest that skipping bevacizumab due to bevacizumab AESIs did not considerably impact the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab + bevacizumab.
{"title":"Impact of Bevacizumab Being Skipped due to Adverse Events of Special Interest for Bevacizumab in Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab: An Exploratory Analysis of the Phase III IMbrave150 study","authors":"Masatoshi Kudo, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Y. Shao, R. Finn, Peter R. Galle, Michel Ducreux, Ann-Lii Cheng, Tatsuya Yamashita, Hironori Koga, R. Take, Kyoko Yamada, T. Asakawa, Yuki Nakagawa, Masafumi Ikeda","doi":"10.1159/000535501","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535501","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The Phase III IMbrave150 study established atezolizumab + bevacizumab as the global standard of care in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This exploratory analysis examined the impact of bevacizumab interruption due to bevacizumab adverse events of special interest (AESIs). Methods: Patients in IMbrave150 who were randomized to atezolizumab + bevacizumab and received treatment for ≥6 months (to reduce immortal time bias) were included in group A-1 if bevacizumab had ever been skipped due to bevacizumab AESIs or to group A-2 otherwise. Efficacy analyses included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by whether bevacizumab was skipped (group A-1 vs A-2). PFS was evaluated per independent review facility (IRF)–assessed Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) version 1.1 and HCC-modified RECIST (IRF-HCC mRECIST). Safety was also evaluated. Results: Of the 210 patients who received ≥6 months of atezolizumab + bevacizumab, 69 were assigned to group A-1 and 141 to A-2. At data cutoff (August 20, 2020), hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.64, 1.69) for group A-1 vs A-2. HR for PFS was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.55) per IRF-assessed RECIST 1.1 and 1.10 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.59; 15.5 vs 9.7 months) per IRF-HCC mRECIST for group A-1 vs A-2. Safety profiles for atezolizumab and bevacizumab were largely similar between groups. More group A-1 patients had grade 3/4 adverse events. A separate analysis investigating the impact of immortal time bias in patients who received ≥3 months of atezolizumab + bevacizumab supported the appropriateness of the ≥6-month landmark analysis. Discussion/Conclusion: Efficacy was similar between patients who skipped bevacizumab due to bevacizumab AESIs and those who did not. Although this comparison was nonrandomized and exploratory, results suggest that skipping bevacizumab due to bevacizumab AESIs did not considerably impact the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab + bevacizumab.","PeriodicalId":18156,"journal":{"name":"Liver Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139217114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}