Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Key clinical point: Use of beta-adrenergic receptor blockers is associated with prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Beta-blocker use was associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio 0.69; P  =  .0031), with no significant heterogeneity across studies (I²  =  41%; P  =  .18).

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 3 cohort studies involving 5148 patients with HCC that analyzed the association between the use of beta-blockers (including propranolol) and overall survival of the patients.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chang H and Lee SH. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and hepatocellular carcinoma survival: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med. 2022 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1007/s10238-022-00842-z

Key clinical point: Use of beta-adrenergic receptor blockers is associated with prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Beta-blocker use was associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio 0.69; P  =  .0031), with no significant heterogeneity across studies (I²  =  41%; P  =  .18).

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 3 cohort studies involving 5148 patients with HCC that analyzed the association between the use of beta-blockers (including propranolol) and overall survival of the patients.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chang H and Lee SH. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and hepatocellular carcinoma survival: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med. 2022 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1007/s10238-022-00842-z

Key clinical point: Use of beta-adrenergic receptor blockers is associated with prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Beta-blocker use was associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio 0.69; P  =  .0031), with no significant heterogeneity across studies (I²  =  41%; P  =  .18).

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 3 cohort studies involving 5148 patients with HCC that analyzed the association between the use of beta-blockers (including propranolol) and overall survival of the patients.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chang H and Lee SH. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and hepatocellular carcinoma survival: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med. 2022 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1007/s10238-022-00842-z

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib plus idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (IDADEB-TACE) is safe and offers a better safety profile than lenvatinib alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE vs lenvatinib alone had a significantly higher objective response rate (57.7% vs 25.7%; P < .001), longer median overall survival (15.7 vs 11.3 months; hazard ratio 0.50; P < .001), and comparable toxicity profile, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study that propensity-score matched patients with advanced HCC who received lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE (n = 78) with those who received lenvatinib alone (n = 78).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, among others. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fan W et al. Idarubicin-loaded DEB-TACE plus lenvatinib versus lenvatinib for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score-matching analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4937

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib plus idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (IDADEB-TACE) is safe and offers a better safety profile than lenvatinib alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE vs lenvatinib alone had a significantly higher objective response rate (57.7% vs 25.7%; P < .001), longer median overall survival (15.7 vs 11.3 months; hazard ratio 0.50; P < .001), and comparable toxicity profile, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study that propensity-score matched patients with advanced HCC who received lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE (n = 78) with those who received lenvatinib alone (n = 78).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, among others. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fan W et al. Idarubicin-loaded DEB-TACE plus lenvatinib versus lenvatinib for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score-matching analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4937

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib plus idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (IDADEB-TACE) is safe and offers a better safety profile than lenvatinib alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE vs lenvatinib alone had a significantly higher objective response rate (57.7% vs 25.7%; P < .001), longer median overall survival (15.7 vs 11.3 months; hazard ratio 0.50; P < .001), and comparable toxicity profile, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study that propensity-score matched patients with advanced HCC who received lenvatinib plus IDADEB-TACE (n = 78) with those who received lenvatinib alone (n = 78).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, among others. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fan W et al. Idarubicin-loaded DEB-TACE plus lenvatinib versus lenvatinib for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score-matching analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4937

Key clinical point: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy prevents recurrence and improves overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in those with a sustained virologic response (SVR).

Major finding: Patients receiving DAA vs no therapy had a significantly reduced recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; P < .001) and improved OS (aHR 0.36; P  =  .017). After DAA therapy, patients with SVR vs nonresponders had significantly lower recurrence rates (hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; P  =  .017) and mortality (HR 0.17; P  =  .001).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 23 cohort studies that evaluated the effects of DAA therapy, interferon therapy, or no intervention on recurrence or OS in patients with HCV-related HCC.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Taishan Scholars Program for Young Expert of Shandong Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu H et al. Clinical benefits of direct-acting antivirals therapy in hepatitis C virus patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (Jun 20). Doi: 10.1111/jgh.15915

Key clinical point: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy prevents recurrence and improves overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in those with a sustained virologic response (SVR).

Major finding: Patients receiving DAA vs no therapy had a significantly reduced recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; P < .001) and improved OS (aHR 0.36; P  =  .017). After DAA therapy, patients with SVR vs nonresponders had significantly lower recurrence rates (hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; P  =  .017) and mortality (HR 0.17; P  =  .001).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 23 cohort studies that evaluated the effects of DAA therapy, interferon therapy, or no intervention on recurrence or OS in patients with HCV-related HCC.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Taishan Scholars Program for Young Expert of Shandong Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu H et al. Clinical benefits of direct-acting antivirals therapy in hepatitis C virus patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (Jun 20). Doi: 10.1111/jgh.15915

Key clinical point: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy prevents recurrence and improves overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in those with a sustained virologic response (SVR).

Major finding: Patients receiving DAA vs no therapy had a significantly reduced recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; P < .001) and improved OS (aHR 0.36; P  =  .017). After DAA therapy, patients with SVR vs nonresponders had significantly lower recurrence rates (hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; P  =  .017) and mortality (HR 0.17; P  =  .001).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 23 cohort studies that evaluated the effects of DAA therapy, interferon therapy, or no intervention on recurrence or OS in patients with HCV-related HCC.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Taishan Scholars Program for Young Expert of Shandong Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu H et al. Clinical benefits of direct-acting antivirals therapy in hepatitis C virus patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (Jun 20). Doi: 10.1111/jgh.15915

Key clinical point: Statin use is associated with a lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Major finding: Statin users vs nonusers had a 41% reduced risk for HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio 0.59; P  =  .001) and a lower weighted HCC incidence rate (incidence rate difference −3.7; P < .001), with the incidence rate ratio being 0.56 (P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 6165 patients aged ≥ 19 and < 85 years with HBV or HCV infection who were on maintenance dialysis and received ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses of statins (users; n = 2655) or did not receive statins (nonusers; n = 3510) in the first 3 months after dialysis commencement.

Disclosures: No financial support was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kim HW et al. Association of statin treatment with hepatocellular carcinoma risk in end-stage kidney disease patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:10807 (Jun 25. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-14713-w

Key clinical point: Statin use is associated with a lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Major finding: Statin users vs nonusers had a 41% reduced risk for HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio 0.59; P  =  .001) and a lower weighted HCC incidence rate (incidence rate difference −3.7; P < .001), with the incidence rate ratio being 0.56 (P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 6165 patients aged ≥ 19 and < 85 years with HBV or HCV infection who were on maintenance dialysis and received ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses of statins (users; n = 2655) or did not receive statins (nonusers; n = 3510) in the first 3 months after dialysis commencement.

Disclosures: No financial support was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kim HW et al. Association of statin treatment with hepatocellular carcinoma risk in end-stage kidney disease patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:10807 (Jun 25. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-14713-w

Key clinical point: Statin use is associated with a lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Major finding: Statin users vs nonusers had a 41% reduced risk for HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio 0.59; P  =  .001) and a lower weighted HCC incidence rate (incidence rate difference −3.7; P < .001), with the incidence rate ratio being 0.56 (P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 6165 patients aged ≥ 19 and < 85 years with HBV or HCV infection who were on maintenance dialysis and received ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses of statins (users; n = 2655) or did not receive statins (nonusers; n = 3510) in the first 3 months after dialysis commencement.

Disclosures: No financial support was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kim HW et al. Association of statin treatment with hepatocellular carcinoma risk in end-stage kidney disease patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:10807 (Jun 25. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-14713-w

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib-based combination therapies are associated with a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and better objective response (OR) than lenvatinib monotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Lenvatinib combination therapy vs monotherapy was associated with a significantly longer PFS (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours [RECIST] v1.1: 7.77 vs 4.43 months; P  =  .045; modified RECIST [mRECIST]: 6.97 vs 5.27 months; P  =  .067) and a higher OR rate (RECIST v1.1: 37% vs 5%; P < .001; mRECIST: 53% vs 11%; P < .001) but no significant overall survival benefit (P  =  .71).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that included 215 patients with HCC who received lenvatinib-based therapies.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen J et al. The combination treatment strategy of lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2022 (Jun 25). Doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04082-2

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib-based combination therapies are associated with a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and better objective response (OR) than lenvatinib monotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Lenvatinib combination therapy vs monotherapy was associated with a significantly longer PFS (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours [RECIST] v1.1: 7.77 vs 4.43 months; P  =  .045; modified RECIST [mRECIST]: 6.97 vs 5.27 months; P  =  .067) and a higher OR rate (RECIST v1.1: 37% vs 5%; P < .001; mRECIST: 53% vs 11%; P < .001) but no significant overall survival benefit (P  =  .71).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that included 215 patients with HCC who received lenvatinib-based therapies.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen J et al. The combination treatment strategy of lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2022 (Jun 25). Doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04082-2

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib-based combination therapies are associated with a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and better objective response (OR) than lenvatinib monotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Lenvatinib combination therapy vs monotherapy was associated with a significantly longer PFS (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours [RECIST] v1.1: 7.77 vs 4.43 months; P  =  .045; modified RECIST [mRECIST]: 6.97 vs 5.27 months; P  =  .067) and a higher OR rate (RECIST v1.1: 37% vs 5%; P < .001; mRECIST: 53% vs 11%; P < .001) but no significant overall survival benefit (P  =  .71).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that included 215 patients with HCC who received lenvatinib-based therapies.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen J et al. The combination treatment strategy of lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2022 (Jun 25). Doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04082-2

Key clinical point: Radiotherapy (RT) plus monoclonal antibody against programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD1) has a better efficacy and safety profile than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving RT+anti-PD1 vs TACE+sorafenib showed significantly higher objective response (54.05% vs 12.20%; P < .001), disease control (70.27% vs 46.34%; P  =  .041), and 9-month overall survival (75.50% vs 60.60%; P < .001) rates. They also had a longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.51; P  =  .017); and a lower grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event rate (29.70% vs 75.60%; P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study that included 78 adult patients with advanced HCC who received RT+anti-PD1 (n = 37) or TACE+sorafenib (n = 41).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Development and Application Project for the Appropriate Technology of Health of Guangxi Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Li JX et al. Efficacy and safety of radiotherapy plus anti-PD1 versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. Radiat Oncol. 2022;17:106 (Jun 11. Doi: 10.1186/s13014-022-02075-6

Key clinical point: Radiotherapy (RT) plus monoclonal antibody against programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD1) has a better efficacy and safety profile than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving RT+anti-PD1 vs TACE+sorafenib showed significantly higher objective response (54.05% vs 12.20%; P < .001), disease control (70.27% vs 46.34%; P  =  .041), and 9-month overall survival (75.50% vs 60.60%; P < .001) rates. They also had a longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.51; P  =  .017); and a lower grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event rate (29.70% vs 75.60%; P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study that included 78 adult patients with advanced HCC who received RT+anti-PD1 (n = 37) or TACE+sorafenib (n = 41).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Development and Application Project for the Appropriate Technology of Health of Guangxi Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Li JX et al. Efficacy and safety of radiotherapy plus anti-PD1 versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. Radiat Oncol. 2022;17:106 (Jun 11. Doi: 10.1186/s13014-022-02075-6

Key clinical point: Radiotherapy (RT) plus monoclonal antibody against programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD1) has a better efficacy and safety profile than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving RT+anti-PD1 vs TACE+sorafenib showed significantly higher objective response (54.05% vs 12.20%; P < .001), disease control (70.27% vs 46.34%; P  =  .041), and 9-month overall survival (75.50% vs 60.60%; P < .001) rates. They also had a longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.51; P  =  .017); and a lower grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event rate (29.70% vs 75.60%; P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study that included 78 adult patients with advanced HCC who received RT+anti-PD1 (n = 37) or TACE+sorafenib (n = 41).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Development and Application Project for the Appropriate Technology of Health of Guangxi Province, China, among others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Li JX et al. Efficacy and safety of radiotherapy plus anti-PD1 versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study. Radiat Oncol. 2022;17:106 (Jun 11. Doi: 10.1186/s13014-022-02075-6

Key clinical point: Sustained virologic response (SVR) decreases the risk for hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving nonsurgical treatment.

Major finding: Patients with SVR vs viremia had a significantly lower likelihood of hepatic decompensation (adjusted odds ratio 0.18; 95% CI 0.06-0.59).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including adult patients with HCV cirrhosis and treatment-naive HCC who had active viremia (n = 431) or SVR before HCC diagnosis (n = 135).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported serving as consultants, advisory board members, speakers for, or receiving research funding or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Parikh ND et al. Association between sustained virological response and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer. 2022 (Jul 7). Doi:  10.1002/cncr.34378

Key clinical point: Sustained virologic response (SVR) decreases the risk for hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving nonsurgical treatment.

Major finding: Patients with SVR vs viremia had a significantly lower likelihood of hepatic decompensation (adjusted odds ratio 0.18; 95% CI 0.06-0.59).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including adult patients with HCV cirrhosis and treatment-naive HCC who had active viremia (n = 431) or SVR before HCC diagnosis (n = 135).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported serving as consultants, advisory board members, speakers for, or receiving research funding or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Parikh ND et al. Association between sustained virological response and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer. 2022 (Jul 7). Doi:  10.1002/cncr.34378

Key clinical point: Sustained virologic response (SVR) decreases the risk for hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving nonsurgical treatment.

Major finding: Patients with SVR vs viremia had a significantly lower likelihood of hepatic decompensation (adjusted odds ratio 0.18; 95% CI 0.06-0.59).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including adult patients with HCV cirrhosis and treatment-naive HCC who had active viremia (n = 431) or SVR before HCC diagnosis (n = 135).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported serving as consultants, advisory board members, speakers for, or receiving research funding or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Parikh ND et al. Association between sustained virological response and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer. 2022 (Jul 7). Doi:  10.1002/cncr.34378

Key clinical point: Transplant waitlist mortality and dropout rates were not significantly different between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and those who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Major finding: TACE and RFA were associated with a comparable 5-year cumulative incidence of mortality or dropout in patients both within (13.4% and 12.9%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.91; 95% CI 0.79-1.03) and outside (19.2% and 19.0%, respectively; aHR 1.29; 95% CI 0.79-2.09) the Milan criteria.

Study details: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 11,824 patients with HCC (within and outside the Milan criteria) from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients who underwent RFA (n = 2449) or TACE (n = 9375).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kolarich AR et al. Radiofrequency ablation versus trans-arterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC awaiting liver transplant: An analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Jun 28. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.06.016

Key clinical point: Transplant waitlist mortality and dropout rates were not significantly different between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and those who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Major finding: TACE and RFA were associated with a comparable 5-year cumulative incidence of mortality or dropout in patients both within (13.4% and 12.9%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.91; 95% CI 0.79-1.03) and outside (19.2% and 19.0%, respectively; aHR 1.29; 95% CI 0.79-2.09) the Milan criteria.

Study details: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 11,824 patients with HCC (within and outside the Milan criteria) from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients who underwent RFA (n = 2449) or TACE (n = 9375).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kolarich AR et al. Radiofrequency ablation versus trans-arterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC awaiting liver transplant: An analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Jun 28. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.06.016

Key clinical point: Transplant waitlist mortality and dropout rates were not significantly different between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and those who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Major finding: TACE and RFA were associated with a comparable 5-year cumulative incidence of mortality or dropout in patients both within (13.4% and 12.9%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.91; 95% CI 0.79-1.03) and outside (19.2% and 19.0%, respectively; aHR 1.29; 95% CI 0.79-2.09) the Milan criteria.

Study details: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 11,824 patients with HCC (within and outside the Milan criteria) from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients who underwent RFA (n = 2449) or TACE (n = 9375).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kolarich AR et al. Radiofrequency ablation versus trans-arterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC awaiting liver transplant: An analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Jun 28. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.06.016

Key clinical point: In systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pembrolizumab monotherapy demonstrates promising antitumor efficacy and survival outcomes, with a safety profile similar to that of second-line pembrolizumab in advanced HCC.

Major finding: After a 27-month median follow-up, the objective response rate was 16% (95% CI 7%-29%). The median progression-free and overall survival were 4 (95% CI 2-8) and 17 (95% CI 8-23) months, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events of  grade ≥ 3 were observed in 16% of patients.

Study details: The data are derived from cohort 2 of the multicenter, phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial that included 51 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with advanced HCC who received 200 mg pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for ≤2 years.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD), a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., NJ. Some authors declared receiving grants, personal fees, or other support from various sources, including MSD.

Source: Verset G et al. Pembrolizumab monotherapy for previously untreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Data from the open-label, phase II KEYNOTE-224 trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(12):2547–2554 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3807

Key clinical point: In systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pembrolizumab monotherapy demonstrates promising antitumor efficacy and survival outcomes, with a safety profile similar to that of second-line pembrolizumab in advanced HCC.

Major finding: After a 27-month median follow-up, the objective response rate was 16% (95% CI 7%-29%). The median progression-free and overall survival were 4 (95% CI 2-8) and 17 (95% CI 8-23) months, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events of  grade ≥ 3 were observed in 16% of patients.

Study details: The data are derived from cohort 2 of the multicenter, phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial that included 51 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with advanced HCC who received 200 mg pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for ≤2 years.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD), a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., NJ. Some authors declared receiving grants, personal fees, or other support from various sources, including MSD.

Source: Verset G et al. Pembrolizumab monotherapy for previously untreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Data from the open-label, phase II KEYNOTE-224 trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(12):2547–2554 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3807

Key clinical point: In systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pembrolizumab monotherapy demonstrates promising antitumor efficacy and survival outcomes, with a safety profile similar to that of second-line pembrolizumab in advanced HCC.

Major finding: After a 27-month median follow-up, the objective response rate was 16% (95% CI 7%-29%). The median progression-free and overall survival were 4 (95% CI 2-8) and 17 (95% CI 8-23) months, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events of  grade ≥ 3 were observed in 16% of patients.

Study details: The data are derived from cohort 2 of the multicenter, phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial that included 51 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with advanced HCC who received 200 mg pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for ≤2 years.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD), a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., NJ. Some authors declared receiving grants, personal fees, or other support from various sources, including MSD.

Source: Verset G et al. Pembrolizumab monotherapy for previously untreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Data from the open-label, phase II KEYNOTE-224 trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(12):2547–2554 (Jun 13). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3807

Key clinical point: Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS) in systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy.

Major finding: Patients receiving cabozantinib plus atezolizumab vs sorafenib had a significantly longer median PFS (6.8 vs 4.2 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; P  =  .001) but a comparable median OS (15.4 vs 15.5 months; HR 0.90; P  =  .44).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 3 trial, COSMIC-312, that included 837 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with HCC unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy who were randomly assigned 2:1:1 to receive cabozantinib plus atezolizumab (n = 432), sorafenib (n = 217), or single-agent cabozantinib (n = 188).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Exelixis, USA, and Ipsen, France. Some authors reported being consultants, advisors, or speakers for or receiving research funding, personal fees, travel and accommodations, or other expenses from various sources, including Exelixis and Ipsen. Four authors reported employment (current or former), stock, and other ownership interests in Exelixis or Ipsen.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (COSMIC-312): A multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2022 (Jul 4). Doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00326-6

Key clinical point: Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS) in systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy.

Major finding: Patients receiving cabozantinib plus atezolizumab vs sorafenib had a significantly longer median PFS (6.8 vs 4.2 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; P  =  .001) but a comparable median OS (15.4 vs 15.5 months; HR 0.90; P  =  .44).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 3 trial, COSMIC-312, that included 837 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with HCC unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy who were randomly assigned 2:1:1 to receive cabozantinib plus atezolizumab (n = 432), sorafenib (n = 217), or single-agent cabozantinib (n = 188).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Exelixis, USA, and Ipsen, France. Some authors reported being consultants, advisors, or speakers for or receiving research funding, personal fees, travel and accommodations, or other expenses from various sources, including Exelixis and Ipsen. Four authors reported employment (current or former), stock, and other ownership interests in Exelixis or Ipsen.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (COSMIC-312): A multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2022 (Jul 4). Doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00326-6

Key clinical point: Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS) in systemic therapy-naive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy.

Major finding: Patients receiving cabozantinib plus atezolizumab vs sorafenib had a significantly longer median PFS (6.8 vs 4.2 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; P  =  .001) but a comparable median OS (15.4 vs 15.5 months; HR 0.90; P  =  .44).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 3 trial, COSMIC-312, that included 837 systemic therapy-naive adult patients with HCC unresponsive to curative or locoregional therapy who were randomly assigned 2:1:1 to receive cabozantinib plus atezolizumab (n = 432), sorafenib (n = 217), or single-agent cabozantinib (n = 188).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Exelixis, USA, and Ipsen, France. Some authors reported being consultants, advisors, or speakers for or receiving research funding, personal fees, travel and accommodations, or other expenses from various sources, including Exelixis and Ipsen. Four authors reported employment (current or former), stock, and other ownership interests in Exelixis or Ipsen.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Cabozantinib plus atezolizumab versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (COSMIC-312): A multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2022 (Jul 4). Doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00326-6