Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Key clinical point: Hepatectomy offers greater survival benefits than sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

Major finding: Patients who underwent hepatectomy vs received sorafenib had a significantly longer median survival time (15.1 vs 4.5 months; hazard ratio 1.704; P  =  .0446).

Study details: This study propensity score-matched patients with advanced HCC and macroscopic PVTT invaded into an ipsilateral first-order portal branch or main trunk/contralateral portal vein who underwent hepatectomy (n = 36) with those who received sorafenib (n = 36).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. Some authors reported receiving grants or personal fees from various sources.

Source: Komatsu S et al. Hepatectomy versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus: A bi-institutional propensity-matched cohort study. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (Sep 1). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1236

Key clinical point: Hepatectomy offers greater survival benefits than sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

Major finding: Patients who underwent hepatectomy vs received sorafenib had a significantly longer median survival time (15.1 vs 4.5 months; hazard ratio 1.704; P  =  .0446).

Study details: This study propensity score-matched patients with advanced HCC and macroscopic PVTT invaded into an ipsilateral first-order portal branch or main trunk/contralateral portal vein who underwent hepatectomy (n = 36) with those who received sorafenib (n = 36).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. Some authors reported receiving grants or personal fees from various sources.

Source: Komatsu S et al. Hepatectomy versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus: A bi-institutional propensity-matched cohort study. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (Sep 1). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1236

Key clinical point: Hepatectomy offers greater survival benefits than sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

Major finding: Patients who underwent hepatectomy vs received sorafenib had a significantly longer median survival time (15.1 vs 4.5 months; hazard ratio 1.704; P  =  .0446).

Study details: This study propensity score-matched patients with advanced HCC and macroscopic PVTT invaded into an ipsilateral first-order portal branch or main trunk/contralateral portal vein who underwent hepatectomy (n = 36) with those who received sorafenib (n = 36).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. Some authors reported receiving grants or personal fees from various sources.

Source: Komatsu S et al. Hepatectomy versus sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus: A bi-institutional propensity-matched cohort study. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (Sep 1). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1236

Key clinical point: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via transradial access (TRA) leads to improved patient satisfaction along with similar procedural variables and safety compared with TACE via transfemoral access (TFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: In the TACE-TRA vs TACE-TFA group a significantly higher proportion of patients preferred the current access for their next procedure (90.8% vs 24.6%; P < .001), although between-group procedural variables (such as procedure time and length of hospital stay; all P > .05) and the incidence and severity of adverse events (all P > .05) were similar.

Study details: This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial included 130 patients with HCC who underwent TACE for the first time either via TRA (n = 65) or TFA (n = 65).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Beijing Hope Run Special Fund of the Cancer Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang X et al. Transradial versus transfemoral access without closure device for transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A randomized trial. Eur Radiol. 2022 (Aug 26). Doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-09038-1

Key clinical point: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via transradial access (TRA) leads to improved patient satisfaction along with similar procedural variables and safety compared with TACE via transfemoral access (TFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: In the TACE-TRA vs TACE-TFA group a significantly higher proportion of patients preferred the current access for their next procedure (90.8% vs 24.6%; P < .001), although between-group procedural variables (such as procedure time and length of hospital stay; all P > .05) and the incidence and severity of adverse events (all P > .05) were similar.

Study details: This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial included 130 patients with HCC who underwent TACE for the first time either via TRA (n = 65) or TFA (n = 65).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Beijing Hope Run Special Fund of the Cancer Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang X et al. Transradial versus transfemoral access without closure device for transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A randomized trial. Eur Radiol. 2022 (Aug 26). Doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-09038-1

Key clinical point: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via transradial access (TRA) leads to improved patient satisfaction along with similar procedural variables and safety compared with TACE via transfemoral access (TFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: In the TACE-TRA vs TACE-TFA group a significantly higher proportion of patients preferred the current access for their next procedure (90.8% vs 24.6%; P < .001), although between-group procedural variables (such as procedure time and length of hospital stay; all P > .05) and the incidence and severity of adverse events (all P > .05) were similar.

Study details: This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial included 130 patients with HCC who underwent TACE for the first time either via TRA (n = 65) or TFA (n = 65).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Beijing Hope Run Special Fund of the Cancer Foundation of China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang X et al. Transradial versus transfemoral access without closure device for transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A randomized trial. Eur Radiol. 2022 (Aug 26). Doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-09038-1

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib may continue to benefit patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) despite liver function deterioration to Child-Pugh class B (CP-B) after therapy initiation.

Major finding: CP-B vs CP-A patients receiving lenvatinib had a median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 3.7 months (95% CI 1.8-7.4) vs 6.5 months (95% CI 5.6-7.4) and 6.8 months (95% CI 2.6-10.3) vs 13.3 months (95% CI 11.6-16.1), respectively. CP-B patients receiving sorafenib had a median PFS and OS of only 0.5 months (95% CI 0.1-3.6) and 4.5 months (95% CI 2.9-6.1, respectively. Lenvatinib showed no new safety signals in CP-B patients.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with uHCC from the REFLECT trial whose liver function deteriorated to CP-B or remained CP-A within 8 weeks of randomization to lenvatinib (CP-B: n = 60; CP-A: n = 413) or sorafenib (CP-B: n = 47; CP-A: n = 427).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eisai Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) LLC. Some authors declared serving as speakers, consultants, or advisors for various organizations, including Eisai and MSD.

Source: Huynh J et al. Lenvatinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed to Child-Pugh B liver function. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2022;14:17588359221116608 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1177/17588359221116608

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib may continue to benefit patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) despite liver function deterioration to Child-Pugh class B (CP-B) after therapy initiation.

Major finding: CP-B vs CP-A patients receiving lenvatinib had a median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 3.7 months (95% CI 1.8-7.4) vs 6.5 months (95% CI 5.6-7.4) and 6.8 months (95% CI 2.6-10.3) vs 13.3 months (95% CI 11.6-16.1), respectively. CP-B patients receiving sorafenib had a median PFS and OS of only 0.5 months (95% CI 0.1-3.6) and 4.5 months (95% CI 2.9-6.1, respectively. Lenvatinib showed no new safety signals in CP-B patients.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with uHCC from the REFLECT trial whose liver function deteriorated to CP-B or remained CP-A within 8 weeks of randomization to lenvatinib (CP-B: n = 60; CP-A: n = 413) or sorafenib (CP-B: n = 47; CP-A: n = 427).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eisai Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) LLC. Some authors declared serving as speakers, consultants, or advisors for various organizations, including Eisai and MSD.

Source: Huynh J et al. Lenvatinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed to Child-Pugh B liver function. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2022;14:17588359221116608 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1177/17588359221116608

Key clinical point: Lenvatinib may continue to benefit patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) despite liver function deterioration to Child-Pugh class B (CP-B) after therapy initiation.

Major finding: CP-B vs CP-A patients receiving lenvatinib had a median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 3.7 months (95% CI 1.8-7.4) vs 6.5 months (95% CI 5.6-7.4) and 6.8 months (95% CI 2.6-10.3) vs 13.3 months (95% CI 11.6-16.1), respectively. CP-B patients receiving sorafenib had a median PFS and OS of only 0.5 months (95% CI 0.1-3.6) and 4.5 months (95% CI 2.9-6.1, respectively. Lenvatinib showed no new safety signals in CP-B patients.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with uHCC from the REFLECT trial whose liver function deteriorated to CP-B or remained CP-A within 8 weeks of randomization to lenvatinib (CP-B: n = 60; CP-A: n = 413) or sorafenib (CP-B: n = 47; CP-A: n = 427).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eisai Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) LLC. Some authors declared serving as speakers, consultants, or advisors for various organizations, including Eisai and MSD.

Source: Huynh J et al. Lenvatinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed to Child-Pugh B liver function. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2022;14:17588359221116608 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1177/17588359221116608

Key clinical point: Sintilimab plus IBI305 (a bevacizumab biosimilar) exhibits a promising efficacy and safety profile in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 17.8 months, the overall response rate was 34.0% (95% CI 20.0%-48.0%) and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.5 months (95% CI 8.3-12.7 months) and 20.2 months (95% CI 16.1-24.3 months), respectively. The grade 3-5 adverse event rate was 20.0%.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center phase 1b clinical trial that included 50 patients with advanced HCC who received sintilimab plus IBI305 every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Non-profit Central Research Institution Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang W et al. Serum concentration of CD137 and tumor infiltration by M1 macrophages predict the response to sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(16):3499-3508 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3972

Key clinical point: Sintilimab plus IBI305 (a bevacizumab biosimilar) exhibits a promising efficacy and safety profile in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 17.8 months, the overall response rate was 34.0% (95% CI 20.0%-48.0%) and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.5 months (95% CI 8.3-12.7 months) and 20.2 months (95% CI 16.1-24.3 months), respectively. The grade 3-5 adverse event rate was 20.0%.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center phase 1b clinical trial that included 50 patients with advanced HCC who received sintilimab plus IBI305 every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Non-profit Central Research Institution Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang W et al. Serum concentration of CD137 and tumor infiltration by M1 macrophages predict the response to sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(16):3499-3508 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3972

Key clinical point: Sintilimab plus IBI305 (a bevacizumab biosimilar) exhibits a promising efficacy and safety profile in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 17.8 months, the overall response rate was 34.0% (95% CI 20.0%-48.0%) and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.5 months (95% CI 8.3-12.7 months) and 20.2 months (95% CI 16.1-24.3 months), respectively. The grade 3-5 adverse event rate was 20.0%.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center phase 1b clinical trial that included 50 patients with advanced HCC who received sintilimab plus IBI305 every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Non-profit Central Research Institution Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zhang W et al. Serum concentration of CD137 and tumor infiltration by M1 macrophages predict the response to sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Clin Cancer Res. 2022;28(16):3499-3508 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3972

Key clinical point: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transarterial radioembolization (TARE) provides significantly longer time to progression (TTP) than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), but does not significantly prolong overall survival.

Major finding: TARE vs TACE significantly prolonged the mean TTP (17.5 vs 9.8 months; 95% CI 1.3-8.3 months) but resulted in comparable overall survival (absolute difference −0.55 months; 95% CI −1.95 to 3.05 months).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 17 studies involving 2465 unique patients that directly compared TACE and TARE for treating HCC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving as consultants or advisory board members of or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Brown AM et al. TACE versus TARE for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Overall and individual patient level meta-analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 9). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5125

Key clinical point: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transarterial radioembolization (TARE) provides significantly longer time to progression (TTP) than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), but does not significantly prolong overall survival.

Major finding: TARE vs TACE significantly prolonged the mean TTP (17.5 vs 9.8 months; 95% CI 1.3-8.3 months) but resulted in comparable overall survival (absolute difference −0.55 months; 95% CI −1.95 to 3.05 months).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 17 studies involving 2465 unique patients that directly compared TACE and TARE for treating HCC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving as consultants or advisory board members of or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Brown AM et al. TACE versus TARE for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Overall and individual patient level meta-analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 9). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5125

Key clinical point: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transarterial radioembolization (TARE) provides significantly longer time to progression (TTP) than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), but does not significantly prolong overall survival.

Major finding: TARE vs TACE significantly prolonged the mean TTP (17.5 vs 9.8 months; 95% CI 1.3-8.3 months) but resulted in comparable overall survival (absolute difference −0.55 months; 95% CI −1.95 to 3.05 months).

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 17 studies involving 2465 unique patients that directly compared TACE and TARE for treating HCC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving as consultants or advisory board members of or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Brown AM et al. TACE versus TARE for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Overall and individual patient level meta-analysis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 9). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5125

Key clinical point: Baseline des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may serve as predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) therapy.

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed that a DCP level of ≥186 mAU/mL and an NLR of ≥2.5 independently predict overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 5.102; P < .001; and aHR 3.584; P  =  .001, respectively) and progression-free survival (aHR 2.311; P  =  .002; and aHR 1.938; P  =  .012, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a real-world observational study that included 121 patients with advanced HCC who received ≥1 cycle of ATE+BEV treatment.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government. Some authors declared receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chon YE, Cheon J, et al. Predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 23). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5161

Key clinical point: Baseline des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may serve as predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) therapy.

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed that a DCP level of ≥186 mAU/mL and an NLR of ≥2.5 independently predict overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 5.102; P < .001; and aHR 3.584; P  =  .001, respectively) and progression-free survival (aHR 2.311; P  =  .002; and aHR 1.938; P  =  .012, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a real-world observational study that included 121 patients with advanced HCC who received ≥1 cycle of ATE+BEV treatment.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government. Some authors declared receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chon YE, Cheon J, et al. Predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 23). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5161

Key clinical point: Baseline des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may serve as predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) therapy.

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed that a DCP level of ≥186 mAU/mL and an NLR of ≥2.5 independently predict overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 5.102; P < .001; and aHR 3.584; P  =  .001, respectively) and progression-free survival (aHR 2.311; P  =  .002; and aHR 1.938; P  =  .012, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a real-world observational study that included 121 patients with advanced HCC who received ≥1 cycle of ATE+BEV treatment.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government. Some authors declared receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chon YE, Cheon J, et al. Predictive biomarkers of survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 23). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5161

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib, toripalimab, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: The progression-free survival (PFS) of 80.6% (95% CI 64.0%-91.8%) of patients was >6 months, and the median PFS was 10.4 months (95% CI 5.8-15.0 months). The median overall survival was not reached at the prespecified final analysis. The objective response rate was 63.9%. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 38.9% of patients.

Study details: This single-center, phase 2 trial included 36 adult treatment-naive patients with advanced HCC (86.1% with high-risk features) who received lenvatinib, toripalimab, and FOLFOX-HAIC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Development Planned Project in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lai ZC, He MK, Bu XY, Xu YJ, et al. Lenvatinib, toripalimab plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A biomolecular exploratory, phase II trial. Eur J Cancer. 2022;174:68-77 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.07.005

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib, toripalimab, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: The progression-free survival (PFS) of 80.6% (95% CI 64.0%-91.8%) of patients was >6 months, and the median PFS was 10.4 months (95% CI 5.8-15.0 months). The median overall survival was not reached at the prespecified final analysis. The objective response rate was 63.9%. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 38.9% of patients.

Study details: This single-center, phase 2 trial included 36 adult treatment-naive patients with advanced HCC (86.1% with high-risk features) who received lenvatinib, toripalimab, and FOLFOX-HAIC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Development Planned Project in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lai ZC, He MK, Bu XY, Xu YJ, et al. Lenvatinib, toripalimab plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A biomolecular exploratory, phase II trial. Eur J Cancer. 2022;174:68-77 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.07.005

Key clinical point: First-line lenvatinib, toripalimab, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: The progression-free survival (PFS) of 80.6% (95% CI 64.0%-91.8%) of patients was >6 months, and the median PFS was 10.4 months (95% CI 5.8-15.0 months). The median overall survival was not reached at the prespecified final analysis. The objective response rate was 63.9%. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 38.9% of patients.

Study details: This single-center, phase 2 trial included 36 adult treatment-naive patients with advanced HCC (86.1% with high-risk features) who received lenvatinib, toripalimab, and FOLFOX-HAIC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Development Planned Project in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lai ZC, He MK, Bu XY, Xu YJ, et al. Lenvatinib, toripalimab plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A biomolecular exploratory, phase II trial. Eur J Cancer. 2022;174:68-77 (Aug 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.07.005

Key clinical point: Pretreatment albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver are independent predictive factors for post-transarterial radioembolization (TARE) hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed ALBI score at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.425; P  =  .005) and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver (aOR 1.072; P  =  .011) to be independent risk factors for the development of hepatic decompensation after TARE.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center retrospective observational study that included 61 patients with HCC who underwent TARE and thereafter did (n = 17) or did not (n = 44) develop hepatic decompensation.

Disclosures: This study was conducted with no specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants, advisors, or speakers for various organizations.

Source: Reincke M et al. Hepatic decompensation after transarterial radioembolization: A retrospective analysis of risk factors and outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Commun. 2022 (Sep 5). Doi: 10.1002/hep4.2072

Key clinical point: Pretreatment albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver are independent predictive factors for post-transarterial radioembolization (TARE) hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed ALBI score at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.425; P  =  .005) and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver (aOR 1.072; P  =  .011) to be independent risk factors for the development of hepatic decompensation after TARE.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center retrospective observational study that included 61 patients with HCC who underwent TARE and thereafter did (n = 17) or did not (n = 44) develop hepatic decompensation.

Disclosures: This study was conducted with no specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants, advisors, or speakers for various organizations.

Source: Reincke M et al. Hepatic decompensation after transarterial radioembolization: A retrospective analysis of risk factors and outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Commun. 2022 (Sep 5). Doi: 10.1002/hep4.2072

Key clinical point: Pretreatment albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver are independent predictive factors for post-transarterial radioembolization (TARE) hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: Multivariate analysis revealed ALBI score at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.425; P  =  .005) and radiation dose on the nontumor section of the liver (aOR 1.072; P  =  .011) to be independent risk factors for the development of hepatic decompensation after TARE.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center retrospective observational study that included 61 patients with HCC who underwent TARE and thereafter did (n = 17) or did not (n = 44) develop hepatic decompensation.

Disclosures: This study was conducted with no specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants, advisors, or speakers for various organizations.

Source: Reincke M et al. Hepatic decompensation after transarterial radioembolization: A retrospective analysis of risk factors and outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Commun. 2022 (Sep 5). Doi: 10.1002/hep4.2072

Key clinical point: Postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) offers a favorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with micronecrosis but limited efficacy against HCC without micronecrosis.

Major finding: Adjuvant TACE significantly improved the overall survival (OS; P  =  .004) and disease-free survival (DFS; P  =  .034) of patients with micronecrosis but led to a nonsignificant difference in the OS (P  =  .430) and DFS (P  =  .131) of patients without micronecrosis.

Study details: This retrospective study propensity score-matched patients who underwent curative liver resection for HCC with (n = 328) or without (n = 438) micronecrosis, with each group comprising patients who did or did not (1:1) receive adjuvant TACE after liver resection.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Key Research & Development Program of China and others. No information on conflicts of interest was available.

Source: Wang Y, Ge H, Hu M, et al. Histological tumor micronecrosis in resected specimens after R0 hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinomas is a factor in determining adjuvant TACE: A retrospective propensity score-matched study. Int J Surg. 2022;105:106852 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106852.

Key clinical point: Postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) offers a favorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with micronecrosis but limited efficacy against HCC without micronecrosis.

Major finding: Adjuvant TACE significantly improved the overall survival (OS; P  =  .004) and disease-free survival (DFS; P  =  .034) of patients with micronecrosis but led to a nonsignificant difference in the OS (P  =  .430) and DFS (P  =  .131) of patients without micronecrosis.

Study details: This retrospective study propensity score-matched patients who underwent curative liver resection for HCC with (n = 328) or without (n = 438) micronecrosis, with each group comprising patients who did or did not (1:1) receive adjuvant TACE after liver resection.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Key Research & Development Program of China and others. No information on conflicts of interest was available.

Source: Wang Y, Ge H, Hu M, et al. Histological tumor micronecrosis in resected specimens after R0 hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinomas is a factor in determining adjuvant TACE: A retrospective propensity score-matched study. Int J Surg. 2022;105:106852 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106852.

Key clinical point: Postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) offers a favorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with micronecrosis but limited efficacy against HCC without micronecrosis.

Major finding: Adjuvant TACE significantly improved the overall survival (OS; P  =  .004) and disease-free survival (DFS; P  =  .034) of patients with micronecrosis but led to a nonsignificant difference in the OS (P  =  .430) and DFS (P  =  .131) of patients without micronecrosis.

Study details: This retrospective study propensity score-matched patients who underwent curative liver resection for HCC with (n = 328) or without (n = 438) micronecrosis, with each group comprising patients who did or did not (1:1) receive adjuvant TACE after liver resection.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Key Research & Development Program of China and others. No information on conflicts of interest was available.

Source: Wang Y, Ge H, Hu M, et al. Histological tumor micronecrosis in resected specimens after R0 hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinomas is a factor in determining adjuvant TACE: A retrospective propensity score-matched study. Int J Surg. 2022;105:106852 (Aug 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106852.

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade 1 or 2a show better therapeutic response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) treatment than those with uHCC and mALBI grade 2b or 3.

Major finding: Patients with mALBI grade 1+2a vs mALBI grade 2b+3 had a significantly higher objective response rate (26.2% vs 3.4%; P  =  .02) and longer median progression-free survival (10.5 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 2.086; P < .01) with ATE+BEV.

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 71 patients who received ATE+BEV for uHCC and had an mALBI grade of 1+2a (n = 42) or 2b+3 (n = 29).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Tomonari T et al. Initial therapeutic results of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and the importance of hepatic functional reserve. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 14). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5145

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade 1 or 2a show better therapeutic response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) treatment than those with uHCC and mALBI grade 2b or 3.

Major finding: Patients with mALBI grade 1+2a vs mALBI grade 2b+3 had a significantly higher objective response rate (26.2% vs 3.4%; P  =  .02) and longer median progression-free survival (10.5 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 2.086; P < .01) with ATE+BEV.

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 71 patients who received ATE+BEV for uHCC and had an mALBI grade of 1+2a (n = 42) or 2b+3 (n = 29).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Tomonari T et al. Initial therapeutic results of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and the importance of hepatic functional reserve. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 14). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5145

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade 1 or 2a show better therapeutic response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATE+BEV) treatment than those with uHCC and mALBI grade 2b or 3.

Major finding: Patients with mALBI grade 1+2a vs mALBI grade 2b+3 had a significantly higher objective response rate (26.2% vs 3.4%; P  =  .02) and longer median progression-free survival (10.5 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 2.086; P < .01) with ATE+BEV.

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 71 patients who received ATE+BEV for uHCC and had an mALBI grade of 1+2a (n = 42) or 2b+3 (n = 29).

Disclosures: No source of funding was reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Tomonari T et al. Initial therapeutic results of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and the importance of hepatic functional reserve. Cancer Med. 2022 (Aug 14). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.5145