Key clinical point: The combination of oral abrocitinib and topical therapy was effective and well tolerated in adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 12, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with abrocitinib 200 mg or 100 mg vs placebo achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment response of 0/1 (46.2% and 41.6% vs 24.5%) and 75% or more improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (72.0% and 68.5% vs 41.5%; P < .05 for all). Serious adverse events were reported by less than 3% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from JADE TEEN, a phase 3 trial including 285 adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD and an inadequate response to topical medication or in need for systemic therapy, who were randomly assigned to receive once-daily oral abrocitinib, 200 mg or 100 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks in combination with topical therapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. The authors declared receiving nonfinancial support, grants, and personal fees from several sources including Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees and/or shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Eichenfield LF et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2830.

Key clinical point: The combination of oral abrocitinib and topical therapy was effective and well tolerated in adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 12, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with abrocitinib 200 mg or 100 mg vs placebo achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment response of 0/1 (46.2% and 41.6% vs 24.5%) and 75% or more improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (72.0% and 68.5% vs 41.5%; P < .05 for all). Serious adverse events were reported by less than 3% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from JADE TEEN, a phase 3 trial including 285 adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD and an inadequate response to topical medication or in need for systemic therapy, who were randomly assigned to receive once-daily oral abrocitinib, 200 mg or 100 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks in combination with topical therapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. The authors declared receiving nonfinancial support, grants, and personal fees from several sources including Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees and/or shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Eichenfield LF et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2830.

Key clinical point: The combination of oral abrocitinib and topical therapy was effective and well tolerated in adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 12, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with abrocitinib 200 mg or 100 mg vs placebo achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment response of 0/1 (46.2% and 41.6% vs 24.5%) and 75% or more improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (72.0% and 68.5% vs 41.5%; P < .05 for all). Serious adverse events were reported by less than 3% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from JADE TEEN, a phase 3 trial including 285 adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD and an inadequate response to topical medication or in need for systemic therapy, who were randomly assigned to receive once-daily oral abrocitinib, 200 mg or 100 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks in combination with topical therapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. The authors declared receiving nonfinancial support, grants, and personal fees from several sources including Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees and/or shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Eichenfield LF et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2830.

Key clinical point: Among hepatitis B virus-positive HCC patients, the 2-year recurrence-free survival rate was higher in those with negative expression of cytokeratin 19 compared to those who were CK19-positive. 

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, CK19 expression was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 1.586, P = 0.042); other independent predictors were postoperative platelet > 300/L (HR 2.82), satellite nodule (HR = 1.71), 95 microvascular invasion (HR = 1.61), and tumor without capsule (HR 1.87).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 674 adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent resection between January 2010 and May 2020. Researchers used a multivariate analysis to create a nomogram of 2-year recurrence-free survival.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Gansu Science and Technology Department. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Shuyao W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 10. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05107-w.

Key clinical point: Among hepatitis B virus-positive HCC patients, the 2-year recurrence-free survival rate was higher in those with negative expression of cytokeratin 19 compared to those who were CK19-positive. 

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, CK19 expression was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 1.586, P = 0.042); other independent predictors were postoperative platelet > 300/L (HR 2.82), satellite nodule (HR = 1.71), 95 microvascular invasion (HR = 1.61), and tumor without capsule (HR 1.87).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 674 adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent resection between January 2010 and May 2020. Researchers used a multivariate analysis to create a nomogram of 2-year recurrence-free survival.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Gansu Science and Technology Department. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Shuyao W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 10. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05107-w.

Key clinical point: Among hepatitis B virus-positive HCC patients, the 2-year recurrence-free survival rate was higher in those with negative expression of cytokeratin 19 compared to those who were CK19-positive. 

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, CK19 expression was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 1.586, P = 0.042); other independent predictors were postoperative platelet > 300/L (HR 2.82), satellite nodule (HR = 1.71), 95 microvascular invasion (HR = 1.61), and tumor without capsule (HR 1.87).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 674 adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent resection between January 2010 and May 2020. Researchers used a multivariate analysis to create a nomogram of 2-year recurrence-free survival.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Gansu Science and Technology Department. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Shuyao W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 10. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05107-w.

Key clinical point: The development of treatment-related adverse events was significantly correlated with improve overall and progression-free survival in HCC patients treated with ICI monotherapy in clinical trials.

Major finding: Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 56% of patients with unresectable or advanced HCC; the development of adverse events was associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to patients who did not develop treatment-related adverse events (16.7 months vs 11.2 months; 5.5 months vs 2.2 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a cohort of 406 adults with unresectable or advanced HCC who were receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy while enrolled in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. Lead author Dr. Pinato disclosed lecture fees from ViiV Healthcare, and Bayer Healthcare; travel expenses from BMS and Bayer Healthcare; consulting fees for Mina Therapeutics, EISAI, Roche, AstraZeneca; and research funding (to his institution) from MSD and BMS.

Source: Pinato DJ et al. Eur J Cancer. 2021 Sep 8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.020. 

Key clinical point: The development of treatment-related adverse events was significantly correlated with improve overall and progression-free survival in HCC patients treated with ICI monotherapy in clinical trials.

Major finding: Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 56% of patients with unresectable or advanced HCC; the development of adverse events was associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to patients who did not develop treatment-related adverse events (16.7 months vs 11.2 months; 5.5 months vs 2.2 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a cohort of 406 adults with unresectable or advanced HCC who were receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy while enrolled in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. Lead author Dr. Pinato disclosed lecture fees from ViiV Healthcare, and Bayer Healthcare; travel expenses from BMS and Bayer Healthcare; consulting fees for Mina Therapeutics, EISAI, Roche, AstraZeneca; and research funding (to his institution) from MSD and BMS.

Source: Pinato DJ et al. Eur J Cancer. 2021 Sep 8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.020. 

Key clinical point: The development of treatment-related adverse events was significantly correlated with improve overall and progression-free survival in HCC patients treated with ICI monotherapy in clinical trials.

Major finding: Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 56% of patients with unresectable or advanced HCC; the development of adverse events was associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to patients who did not develop treatment-related adverse events (16.7 months vs 11.2 months; 5.5 months vs 2.2 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a cohort of 406 adults with unresectable or advanced HCC who were receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy while enrolled in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. Lead author Dr. Pinato disclosed lecture fees from ViiV Healthcare, and Bayer Healthcare; travel expenses from BMS and Bayer Healthcare; consulting fees for Mina Therapeutics, EISAI, Roche, AstraZeneca; and research funding (to his institution) from MSD and BMS.

Source: Pinato DJ et al. Eur J Cancer. 2021 Sep 8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.020. 

Key clinical point: Risk factors for secondary primary malignancies in HCC patients included older age at diagnosis, localized disease, smaller tumor size, and treatment with local tumor destruction, hepatectomy, and transplantation.   

Major finding: A total of 1,593 HCC patients (3.95%) developed secondary primary malignancies starting at 2 months after their initial HCC diagnoses; the top five sites were lung and bronchus; prostate, non-hodgkin lymphoma, colon, and breast.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40,314 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 and identified through the SEER database who were followed for a median of 19 months from their initial HCC diagnoses.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kong J et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.713637. 

Key clinical point: Risk factors for secondary primary malignancies in HCC patients included older age at diagnosis, localized disease, smaller tumor size, and treatment with local tumor destruction, hepatectomy, and transplantation.   

Major finding: A total of 1,593 HCC patients (3.95%) developed secondary primary malignancies starting at 2 months after their initial HCC diagnoses; the top five sites were lung and bronchus; prostate, non-hodgkin lymphoma, colon, and breast.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40,314 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 and identified through the SEER database who were followed for a median of 19 months from their initial HCC diagnoses.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kong J et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.713637. 

Key clinical point: Risk factors for secondary primary malignancies in HCC patients included older age at diagnosis, localized disease, smaller tumor size, and treatment with local tumor destruction, hepatectomy, and transplantation.   

Major finding: A total of 1,593 HCC patients (3.95%) developed secondary primary malignancies starting at 2 months after their initial HCC diagnoses; the top five sites were lung and bronchus; prostate, non-hodgkin lymphoma, colon, and breast.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40,314 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 and identified through the SEER database who were followed for a median of 19 months from their initial HCC diagnoses.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kong J et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.713637. 

Key clinical point: Raltitrexed-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) extended the overall survival of intermediate and advanced HCC patients in a real-world clinical setting.

Major finding: After propensity score matching, the overall survival rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were significantly higher in patients given raltitrexed compared to controls (78.2% vs 60.9%; 43.5% vs 22.8%; and 17.4% vs 2.2%, respectively).

Study details: The data come from HCC patients seen at multiple centers in Chongqing, China, between January 2013 and December 2019. Cases were divided into two groups based on treatment: the raltitrexed group (raltitrexed plus lobaplatin + pirarubicin) and the control group (lobaplatin + pirarubicin).

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: He J et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13708. 

Key clinical point: Raltitrexed-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) extended the overall survival of intermediate and advanced HCC patients in a real-world clinical setting.

Major finding: After propensity score matching, the overall survival rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were significantly higher in patients given raltitrexed compared to controls (78.2% vs 60.9%; 43.5% vs 22.8%; and 17.4% vs 2.2%, respectively).

Study details: The data come from HCC patients seen at multiple centers in Chongqing, China, between January 2013 and December 2019. Cases were divided into two groups based on treatment: the raltitrexed group (raltitrexed plus lobaplatin + pirarubicin) and the control group (lobaplatin + pirarubicin).

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: He J et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13708. 

Key clinical point: Raltitrexed-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) extended the overall survival of intermediate and advanced HCC patients in a real-world clinical setting.

Major finding: After propensity score matching, the overall survival rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were significantly higher in patients given raltitrexed compared to controls (78.2% vs 60.9%; 43.5% vs 22.8%; and 17.4% vs 2.2%, respectively).

Study details: The data come from HCC patients seen at multiple centers in Chongqing, China, between January 2013 and December 2019. Cases were divided into two groups based on treatment: the raltitrexed group (raltitrexed plus lobaplatin + pirarubicin) and the control group (lobaplatin + pirarubicin).

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: He J et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13708. 

Key clinical point: The postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) score was an independent predictor of both overall survival and recurrence-free survival in small HCC patients who underwent liver resection; higher scores were associated with decreased survival.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 95.4 %, 81.2, and 63.3 %, respectively, in the low PoCONUT group, vs 88.7 %, 63.0, and 44.2 %, respectively, in the high PoCONUT group (P = 0.009). Similarly, recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80.4 %, 57.5, and 49.5 %, respectively, vs 66.1 %, 40.3%, and 31.0 %, respectively, in the low and high groups.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, case-control study including 547 consecutive adult patients with small HCC who underwent liver resection between February 2007 and December 2015; patients were divided into low (382 patients) and high (165 patients) groups according to postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) scores (2 or less; 3 or greater).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Peng W et al. BMC Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01334-9.

Key clinical point: The postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) score was an independent predictor of both overall survival and recurrence-free survival in small HCC patients who underwent liver resection; higher scores were associated with decreased survival.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 95.4 %, 81.2, and 63.3 %, respectively, in the low PoCONUT group, vs 88.7 %, 63.0, and 44.2 %, respectively, in the high PoCONUT group (P = 0.009). Similarly, recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80.4 %, 57.5, and 49.5 %, respectively, vs 66.1 %, 40.3%, and 31.0 %, respectively, in the low and high groups.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, case-control study including 547 consecutive adult patients with small HCC who underwent liver resection between February 2007 and December 2015; patients were divided into low (382 patients) and high (165 patients) groups according to postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) scores (2 or less; 3 or greater).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Peng W et al. BMC Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01334-9.

Key clinical point: The postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) score was an independent predictor of both overall survival and recurrence-free survival in small HCC patients who underwent liver resection; higher scores were associated with decreased survival.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 95.4 %, 81.2, and 63.3 %, respectively, in the low PoCONUT group, vs 88.7 %, 63.0, and 44.2 %, respectively, in the high PoCONUT group (P = 0.009). Similarly, recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80.4 %, 57.5, and 49.5 %, respectively, vs 66.1 %, 40.3%, and 31.0 %, respectively, in the low and high groups.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, case-control study including 547 consecutive adult patients with small HCC who underwent liver resection between February 2007 and December 2015; patients were divided into low (382 patients) and high (165 patients) groups according to postoperative controlling nutritional status (PoCONUT) scores (2 or less; 3 or greater).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Peng W et al. BMC Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01334-9.

Key clinical point: HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection had significantly higher rates of overall survival and recurrence-free survival compared to those who underwent percutaneous ablation.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97.6%, 83.6%, and 71.5%, respectively, for the hepatic resection patients, vs 89.4%, 58.5%, and 48.8%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation patients (P = 0.032). Recurrence-free survival at these time points was 77.6%, 47.9%, and 42.6%, respectively, for the hepatic resection group, and 40.5%, 23.2%, and 15.4%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation group (P = 0.010). 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 67 adults with resectable caudate HCC within Milan criteria at three centers; 46 underwent hepatic resection and 21 underwent percutaneous ablation.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong, China.

Source: Xie W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05111-0.

Key clinical point: HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection had significantly higher rates of overall survival and recurrence-free survival compared to those who underwent percutaneous ablation.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97.6%, 83.6%, and 71.5%, respectively, for the hepatic resection patients, vs 89.4%, 58.5%, and 48.8%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation patients (P = 0.032). Recurrence-free survival at these time points was 77.6%, 47.9%, and 42.6%, respectively, for the hepatic resection group, and 40.5%, 23.2%, and 15.4%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation group (P = 0.010). 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 67 adults with resectable caudate HCC within Milan criteria at three centers; 46 underwent hepatic resection and 21 underwent percutaneous ablation.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong, China.

Source: Xie W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05111-0.

Key clinical point: HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection had significantly higher rates of overall survival and recurrence-free survival compared to those who underwent percutaneous ablation.

Major finding: Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97.6%, 83.6%, and 71.5%, respectively, for the hepatic resection patients, vs 89.4%, 58.5%, and 48.8%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation patients (P = 0.032). Recurrence-free survival at these time points was 77.6%, 47.9%, and 42.6%, respectively, for the hepatic resection group, and 40.5%, 23.2%, and 15.4%, respectively, for the percutaneous ablation group (P = 0.010). 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 67 adults with resectable caudate HCC within Milan criteria at three centers; 46 underwent hepatic resection and 21 underwent percutaneous ablation.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong, China.

Source: Xie W et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1007/s11605-021-05111-0.

Key clinical point: A total of 84% of HCC patients had at least one emergency department visit within 12 months of therapy.

Major finding: Patients with HCC experienced an average of 3.2 adverse events over a median of 9 months; the most common was pain (75%), followed by infection (39%). Infection was the most costly adverse event ($50,374), and up to 90% of costs were associated with inpatient admissions.

Study details: The data come from 322 adults with HCC who had 12 months of follow-up data available after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy; immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy; or FOLFOX combination therapy.

Disclosures: The study was supported by AstraZeneca and some coauthors are AstraZeneca employees. Lead author Dr. Lal had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Lal LS et al. Cancer Rep. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1504.

Key clinical point: A total of 84% of HCC patients had at least one emergency department visit within 12 months of therapy.

Major finding: Patients with HCC experienced an average of 3.2 adverse events over a median of 9 months; the most common was pain (75%), followed by infection (39%). Infection was the most costly adverse event ($50,374), and up to 90% of costs were associated with inpatient admissions.

Study details: The data come from 322 adults with HCC who had 12 months of follow-up data available after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy; immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy; or FOLFOX combination therapy.

Disclosures: The study was supported by AstraZeneca and some coauthors are AstraZeneca employees. Lead author Dr. Lal had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Lal LS et al. Cancer Rep. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1504.

Key clinical point: A total of 84% of HCC patients had at least one emergency department visit within 12 months of therapy.

Major finding: Patients with HCC experienced an average of 3.2 adverse events over a median of 9 months; the most common was pain (75%), followed by infection (39%). Infection was the most costly adverse event ($50,374), and up to 90% of costs were associated with inpatient admissions.

Study details: The data come from 322 adults with HCC who had 12 months of follow-up data available after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy; immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy; or FOLFOX combination therapy.

Disclosures: The study was supported by AstraZeneca and some coauthors are AstraZeneca employees. Lead author Dr. Lal had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Lal LS et al. Cancer Rep. 2021 Sep 7. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1504.

Key clinical point: Arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib was safe and effective in patients with advanced HCC.

Major finding: At one week after the aTACE plus apatinib procedure, levels of AST and ALT were significantly elevated compared with pre-treatment levels, indicating treatment response (65.84 U/L vs 54.15 U/L and 63.44 U/L vs 51.60 U/L, respectively). Median progression-free survival was 10.2 months, and median overall survival was 23.3 months, with longer survival in patients without portal vein tumor thrombus. 

Study details: The data come from 87 consecutive adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma between December 2015 and February 2017.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Li Z et al. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Aug 19. doi: 10.1155/2021/5565793.

Key clinical point: Arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib was safe and effective in patients with advanced HCC.

Major finding: At one week after the aTACE plus apatinib procedure, levels of AST and ALT were significantly elevated compared with pre-treatment levels, indicating treatment response (65.84 U/L vs 54.15 U/L and 63.44 U/L vs 51.60 U/L, respectively). Median progression-free survival was 10.2 months, and median overall survival was 23.3 months, with longer survival in patients without portal vein tumor thrombus. 

Study details: The data come from 87 consecutive adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma between December 2015 and February 2017.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Li Z et al. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Aug 19. doi: 10.1155/2021/5565793.

Key clinical point: Arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib was safe and effective in patients with advanced HCC.

Major finding: At one week after the aTACE plus apatinib procedure, levels of AST and ALT were significantly elevated compared with pre-treatment levels, indicating treatment response (65.84 U/L vs 54.15 U/L and 63.44 U/L vs 51.60 U/L, respectively). Median progression-free survival was 10.2 months, and median overall survival was 23.3 months, with longer survival in patients without portal vein tumor thrombus. 

Study details: The data come from 87 consecutive adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent arsenic trioxide (ATO)/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma between December 2015 and February 2017.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Li Z et al. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Aug 19. doi: 10.1155/2021/5565793.

Key clinical point: Serum Prothrombin Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein were significant predictors of hepatocellular carcionoma and death in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

Major finding: Alpha-fetoprotein levels greater than 7 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73–4.67) and PIVKA-II levels greater than 50 mAU/mL at virological remission significantly predicted the development of HCC (hazard ratios 2.84 and 2.46, respectively).

Study details: The data come from 293 adults with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis; after an average follow-up of 78 months, 76 patient developed HCC and 19 died.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and the Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan. Lead author Dr. Su disclosed research grant from Gilead Sciences, and serving on speaker's bureaus for AbbVie, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and Takeda.

Source: Su T-H et al. J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Aug 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.08.003.

Key clinical point: Serum Prothrombin Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein were significant predictors of hepatocellular carcionoma and death in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

Major finding: Alpha-fetoprotein levels greater than 7 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73–4.67) and PIVKA-II levels greater than 50 mAU/mL at virological remission significantly predicted the development of HCC (hazard ratios 2.84 and 2.46, respectively).

Study details: The data come from 293 adults with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis; after an average follow-up of 78 months, 76 patient developed HCC and 19 died.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and the Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan. Lead author Dr. Su disclosed research grant from Gilead Sciences, and serving on speaker's bureaus for AbbVie, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and Takeda.

Source: Su T-H et al. J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Aug 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.08.003.

Key clinical point: Serum Prothrombin Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein were significant predictors of hepatocellular carcionoma and death in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

Major finding: Alpha-fetoprotein levels greater than 7 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73–4.67) and PIVKA-II levels greater than 50 mAU/mL at virological remission significantly predicted the development of HCC (hazard ratios 2.84 and 2.46, respectively).

Study details: The data come from 293 adults with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis; after an average follow-up of 78 months, 76 patient developed HCC and 19 died.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University Hospital, and the Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan. Lead author Dr. Su disclosed research grant from Gilead Sciences, and serving on speaker's bureaus for AbbVie, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and Takeda.

Source: Su T-H et al. J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Aug 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.08.003.