Combined Chemoembolization and Radiotherapy Versus Chemoembolization Alone for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invading the Hepatic Vein or Inferior Vena Cava

Case report: Combination therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with inferior vena cava or right atrial tumor thrombus in the era of combined targeted and immunotherapeutic agents

Primary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Tumor thrombus (TT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) or right atrium (RA) significantly worsens prognosis. We present four cases of male patients (average age 57) with HCC and TT extending into the IVC/RA, treated at our center. All underwent hepatectomy and TT resection, with targeted therapy (lenvatinib) and immunotherapy (sintilimab) administered post-operatively. Case 1 involved a 59-year-old male who had a right hepatectomy and TT resection in the IVC, followed by targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and is currently alive 74 months post-treatment. Case 2, a 48-year-old male, had a right hepatic lobectomy and TT resection in the IVC/RA, followed by liver transplantation 54 months postoperatively, with no recurrence. Case 3, a 66-year-old male, underwent a left hepatectomy and TT resection in the IVC, remaining disease-free 27 months postoperatively. Case 4, a 55-year-old male, received 15 cycles of combined targeted and immune therapy, followed by left hepatectomy and TT resection in the IVC/RA, with no recurrence 22 months postoperatively. Surgical resection combined with targeted and immunotherapy may enhance survival in advanced HCC patients with TT in the IVC/RA. Further studies are required to corroborate these findings.

Efficacy and Safety of Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib Plus Programmed Death-1 Inhibitor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with the Hepatic Vein and/or Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus lenvatinib with a programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor compared with TACE plus lenvatinib and TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the hepatic vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (HVTT and IVCTT).

METHODS

Data on HCC accompanied by HVTT and IVCTT from June 2015 to August 2022 were analyzed in this single-center retrospective study. Drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) or conventional TACE (cTACE) was used. The primary study outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to determine the predictive factors for OS and PFS. A subgroup analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Overall, 214 patients were enrolled. Among them, 60 received triple therapy consisting of TACE, lenvatinib, and PD-1 inhibitors (TACE + L + P), 72 received dual therapy consisting of TACE and lenvatinib (TACE + L), and 82 received TACE alone. The TACE + L + P group (16.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.8-19.5 months) had a significantly longer median OS compared with the TACE + L group (11.2; 95% CI: 10.0-12.3 months) (P = 0.001) and the TACE group (8.3; 95% CI: 7.7-8.5 months) (P < 0.001); the TACE + L + P group (12.3; 95% CI: 10.9-13.7 months) had a significantly longer median PFS compared with the TACE + L group (8.5; 95% CI: 7.7-9.2 months) (P < 0.001) and the TACE group (6.2; 95% CI: 5.8 ~ 6.3 months) (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that treatment strategy was a significant factor for OS and PFS. Skin rash was more common in the triple therapy group and might be attributed to PD-1 ligand inhibitor therapy (33.33% vs. 16.66%, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Triple therapy consisting of TACE plus lenvatinib with a PD-1 inhibitor showed promising efficacy for advanced HCC patients with HVTT and IVCTT, with manageable safety profiles.

Radiotherapy with Targeted Therapy or Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hepatic Vein and/or Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombi

Purpose

This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatic vein tumor thrombus (HVTT) and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) receiving radiotherapy (RT) combined with systemic therapies.

Patients and Methods

Patients with HCC with HVTT and/or IVCTT who received RT were identified at our institution. The prescription doses were 30-65 Gy for planning target volume and 40-65 Gy for the gross tumor volume. Targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were used concurrently if patients were at a high risk of or already had distant metastasis. After RT completion, follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and 3 to 6 months thereafter. The objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity were recorded.

Results

Thirty-four patients were retrospectively enrolled between January 2016 and September 2021. Most patients received concurrent targeted therapy (70.6%) and/or post-RT (79.4%). The in-field ORR and disease control rates were 79.4% and 97.1%, respectively. The OS rates were 77.6% at 1 year and 36.3% at 2 years (median OS, 15.8 months). The median PFS and median in-field PFS were 4.2 months and not reached, respectively. The PFS and in-field PFS rates were 24.6% and 79.2% at 1 year, 19.7% and 72.0% at 2 years, respectively. An alpha-fetoprotein level >1000 ng/mL was a significant prognostic factor for worse OS (HR, 5.674; 95% CI, 1.588-20.276; p=0.008); in-field complete/partial response was a significant prognostic factor for better OS (HR, 0.116; 95% CI, 0.027-0.499; p=0.004). The most common site of first failure was the lungs (13/34 patients, 38.2%), followed by the liver (7/34 patients, 20.6%). No patients developed radiation-induced liver disease or pulmonary embolism during follow-up.

Conclusion

Combining RT and systemic therapy was safe and effective in treating patients with HCC with HVTT and IVCTT.

Intermediate-stage (BCLC stage B) infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma: safety and efficacy of chemoembolization

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of chemoembolization in patients with intermediate-stage infiltrative Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated outcomes in treatment-naïve patients who received chemoembolization as first-line treatment for intermediate-stage infiltrative HCC between 2002 and 2022. Of the 2029 treatment-naïve patients who received chemoembolization as first-line treatment for intermediate-stage HCC, 244 (12%) were identified as having the infiltrative type. After excluding two patients lost to follow-up, 242 patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Median post-chemoembolization overall survival (OS) was 16 months. Multivariable Cox analysis identified four factors predictive of OS: Child-Pugh class B (hazard ratio [HR], 1.84; p = 0.001), maximal tumor size ≥ 10 cm (HR, 1.67; p < 0.001), tumor number ≥ 4 (HR, 1.42; p = 0.037), and bilobar tumor involvement (HR, 1.64; p = 0.003). These four factors were used to create pretreatment prediction models, with risk scores of 0-1, 2-4, and 5-7 defined as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. Median OS times in these three groups were 34, 18, and 8 months, respectively (p < 0.001). The objective tumor response rate following chemoembolization was 53%. The major complication rate was 9% overall and was significantly higher in the high-risk group (22%) than in the low (2%) and intermediate (3%) risk groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Chemoembolization is safe and effective in selected patients with intermediate-stage infiltrative HCC. Chemoembolization is not recommended in high-risk patients with intermediate-stage infiltrative HCC because of poor OS and high rates of major complications.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

A pretreatment prediction model was developed using four risk factors associated with overall survival following chemoembolization for intermediate-stage infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma. This model may provide valuable information for clinical decision-making.

KEY POINTS

• Four risk factors (Child-Pugh score B, maximal tumor size ≥ 10 cm, tumor number ≥ 4, and bilobar tumor involvement) were used to create pretreatment prediction models, with risk scores of 0-1, 2-4, and 5-7 defined as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. • Median overall survival (OS) times and major complication rate in these three groups were 34, 18, and 8 months, and 2%, 3%, and 22%, respectively (p < 0.001). Chemoembolization is not recommended in high-risk patients with intermediate-stage infiltrative Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because of poor OS and high rates of major complications.

Efficacy of TACE Combined with Lenvatinib Plus Sintilimab for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus in the Inferior Vena Cava and/or Right Atrium

Purpose

To validate the safety and effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combination with lenvatinib and sintilimab in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) and/or right atrium (RA) tumor thrombosis (TT).

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed HCC patients with IVC and/or RA TT treated with TACE combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were calculated to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were analyzed to assess the safety profiles.

Results

A total of 58 patients were screened for eligibility between March 2019 and May 2022. At the time of data collection, 48.2% of patients were still receiving treatment. The median follow-up was 23.5 months. The ORR was 48.3%, the DCR was 91.4%, the median OS was 17.3 months, and the median PFS was 13.0 months. The ORR for IVC/RA TT was 62.1%, DCR was 94.9%, and the median PFS was 14.3 months. 56.9% of patients experienced ≥ grade 3 TRAEs, such as hypertension (10.3%) and elevated liver enzymes (13.8%). No new safety signals were identified. Participants with low levels of serum PCT value had satisfactory prognoses.

Conclusion

TACE combination with lenvatinib plus sintilimab is effective in treating HCC with IVC and/or RA TT. The toxicities were manageable, with no unexpected safety signals. The baseline levels of serum PCT might be the predictive biomarkers for the triple combination therapy.

Sorafenib Combined with Chemoembolization for Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Macroscopic Vascular Invasion: A Propensity Score Analysis

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib with those of TACE alone in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment-naïve patients with preserved hepatic reserve (Child–Pugh score ≤ 7) who received TACE plus sorafenib (n = 91) or TACE alone (n = 109) for locally advanced HCC with macrovascular invasion were retrospectively evaluated. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to correct selection bias, and 63 pairs were created. In the entire study population, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with TACE plus sorafenib were better than those with TACE alone. After PSM, the median PFS (7.0 vs. 4.3 months; p = 0.017) and OS (17.5 vs. 12.8 months; p = 0.049) were again significantly longer with TACE plus sorafenib than with TACE alone. Stratified Cox regression analysis and doubly robust estimation revealed that treatment type was significantly associated with both PFS and OS. In the subgroup analysis, TACE plus sorafenib did not show a significant survival benefit for patients with main portal vein or inferior vena cava invasion. Major complications were similar in both groups (p = 0.330). In conclusion, TACE plus sorafenib showed better survival outcomes than TACE alone in patients with locally advanced HCC.

MRI-guided radiotherapy for PVTT in HCC patients: evaluation of the efficacy and safety

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided tumor tracking hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the twelve cases of unresectable HCC with tumor thrombus in the main trunk or first branch of the portal vein that were treated with MRI-guided tumor tracking HFRT or SBRT using the ViewRay Linac MRIdian system between June 2019 and January 2021. The HFRT was performed with a total of 50 Gy in 10 fractions, and SBRT performed in a range of 36-50 Gy with 4-5 fractions. The median biologic effective dose (BED) with an a/b ratio of 10 was 75 Gy₁₀ (range 68.4-100 Gy₁₀).

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 5.0 months (range 1.9-12.8 months). Ten patients (83.3%) showed an objective response of PVTT. At the time of analysis, ten patients (83.3%) showed local control. The 1-year intrahepatic control rate was 48.9%. Three patients (25%) showed mild gastrointestinal symptoms, and there were no cases of grade 3 or higher toxicity. For hepatic toxicity, there were no cases in which the Child-Pugh score increased by more than two points after RT without disease progression.

CONCLUSION

MRI-guided tumor tracking HFRT and SBRT was a feasible, effective, and safe treatment option in HCC patients with tumor thrombi in the main trunk or first branch of the portal vein.