1
|
Himmelsbach V, Koch C, Trojan J, Finkelmeier F. Systemic Drugs for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do Recent Clinical Trials Reveal About Sequencing and the Emerging Complexities of Clinical Decisions? J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:363-372. [PMID: 38405324 PMCID: PMC10886804 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s443218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in 2015 with increasing incidence between 1990 and 2015. Orthotopic liver transplantation, surgical resection and ablation comprise the only curative therapy options. However, due to the late manifestation of clinical symptoms, many patients present with intermediate or advanced disease, resulting in no curative treatment option being available. Whereas intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually still addressable by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), advanced-stage HCC is amenable only to pharmacological treatments. Conventional cytotoxic agents failed demonstrating relevant effect on survival also because their use was severely limited by the mostly underlying insufficient liver function. For a decade, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sorafenib was the only systemic therapy that proved to have a clinically relevant effect in the treatment of advanced HCC. In recent years, the number of substances for systemic treatment of advanced HCC has increased enormously. In addition to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and antiangiogenic drugs are increasingly being applied. The combination of anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody atezolizumab and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab has become the new standard of care for advanced HCC due to its remarkable response rates. This requires more and more complex clinical decisions regarding tumor therapy. This review aims at summarizing recent developments in systemic therapy, considering data on first- and second-line treatment, use in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting and combination with locoregional procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Himmelsbach
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christine Koch
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jörg Trojan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fabian Finkelmeier
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of New Advances with Focus on Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy. LIVERS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/livers3010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
With an expected incidence of more than 1 million cases by 2025, liver cancer remains a problem for world health. With over 90% of cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent kind of liver cancer. In this review, we presented the range of experimental therapeutics for patients with advanced HCC, the successes and failures of new treatments, areas for future development, the evaluation of dose-limiting toxicity in different drugs, and the safety profile in patients with liver dysfunction related to the underlying chronic liver disease. In addition to the unmet demand for biomarkers to guide treatment decisions and the burgeoning fields of immunotherapy and systemic therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma, the development of old and new drugs, including their failures and current advancements, has been reviewed. This review aims to evaluate the updated optimal clinical treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas in clinical practice, mainly through targeted therapy. Although surgical treatment can significantly enhance the survival probability of early and intermediate-stage patients, it is unsuitable for most HCC patients due to a lack of donors. Due to their severe toxicity, the few first-line anti-HCC drugs, such as sorafenib, are often reserved for advanced HCC patients for whom other therapies have failed. The second-line drugs are usually alternatives for patients with intolerance or resistance. Consequently, the ongoing growth of possible preclinical drugs and studies on miRNAs, lncRNAs, and numerous other signaling pathway targets for developing novel drugs may introduce additional treatment prospects for HCC.
Collapse
|
3
|
Li L, Liu HT, Teng YX, Deng ZJ, Zhang GL, Su JY, Ma L, Zhong JH. Second-line treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma: current state and challenges for the future. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:1151-1167. [PMID: 36437752 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2151891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the approval of sorafenib for systemic treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), many tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown efficacy and tolerability as first-line treatments. On the other hand, these first-line therapies are associated with low objective response and drug resistance. Many drugs have been successfully tested for second-line treatment of advanced HCC. While the rapid proliferation of second-line treatments for advanced HCC brings hope to patients, it also complicates clinical decision-making. AREAS COVERED This review aims to facilitate decisions by summarizing the latest guidelines for second-line treatment of HCC in various countries or regions. We then review existing second-line treatment options and discuss challenges that should be addressed in the future. A literature search was conducted in April 2022 of PubMed/Medline, Cochrane library, and abstracts of international cancer meetings. EXPERT OPINION There is no standard second-line treatment, especially for the case of sequential treatment after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo+bev) and further studies focused on sequential treatment are warranted in this setting. The design of clinical trials, different etiologies, and complications or quality of life (QoL) are interesting issues in the second-line setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Li
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hao-Tian Liu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yu-Xian Teng
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zhu-Jian Deng
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Guan-Lan Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jia-Yong Su
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhong
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fan Y, Xue H, Zheng H. Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Updates and Outlook. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:233-263. [PMID: 35388357 PMCID: PMC8977221 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s358082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged the culprit of cancer-related mortality worldwide with its dismal prognosis climbing. In recent years, ground-breaking progress has been made in systemic therapy for HCC. Targeted therapy based on specific signaling molecules, including sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab, has been widely used for advanced HCC (aHCC). Immunotherapies such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab greatly improve the survival of aHCC patients. More recently, synergistic combination therapy has boosted first-line (atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab) and second-line (ipilimumab in combination with nivolumab) therapeutic modalities for aHCC. This review aims to summarize recent updates of systemic therapy relying on the biological mechanisms of HCC, particularly highlighting the approved agents for aHCC. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy, as well as a combination with locoregional therapies (LRTs), are also discussed. Additionally, we describe the promising effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as systemic therapy on HCC. In this setting, the challenges and future directions of systemic therapy for HCC are also explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinjie Fan
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110847, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hang Xue
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huachuan Zheng
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Huachuan Zheng, Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0314-2279458, Fax +86-0314-2279458, Email
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Choucair K, Kamran S, Saeed A. Clinical Evaluation of Ramucirumab for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Place in Therapy. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 14:5521-5532. [PMID: 35002257 PMCID: PMC8721285 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s268309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide as most cases are diagnosed at an advanced disease stage. Ramucirumab, a human anti-VEGFR-2 monoclonal antibody, is approved as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and α-fetoprotein levels ≥400 ng/mL previously treated with sorafenib. As most patients present with an advanced disease, patients with α-fetoprotein levels ≥400 ng/mL have an aggressive disease and a poor prognosis, making ramucirumab an important treatment option for this subgroup of patients. This article provides a comprehensive review of the clinical efficacy of ramucirumab as highlighted in the two major trials that lead to its approval. We also briefly review the agent pharmacologic properties, as well as its safety and toxicity profile, before discussing certain limitations and challenges associated with ramucirumab use. Finally, we review completed and ongoing clinical trials and focus on those involving ramucirumab-based combinations, namely with immune therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Choucair
- Department of Medicine, Kansas University School of Medicine, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Syed Kamran
- Department of Medicine, Kansas University School of Medicine, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Kansas University Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pathak S, Sonbol MB. Second-Line Treatment Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Landscape and Future Direction. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:1147-1158. [PMID: 34584898 PMCID: PMC8464222 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s268314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and its incidence is rising. The last few years have witnessed a proliferation of available systemic therapeutic options, with the approval of multiple agents, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and drugs targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, such as cabozantinib, regorafenib, and ramucirumab. Most recently, the combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab has resulted in the longest overall survival yet known in hepatocellular carcinoma, therefore changing the preferred first-line treatment from the previous options of sorafenib and lenvatinib. The aim of this review is to summarize the available clinical data for the current second-line systemic treatment options and the future perspectives in the treatment landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Pathak
- Hematology-Oncology, King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, KY, USA
| | - Mohamad Bassam Sonbol
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Blanc JF, Debaillon-Vesque A, Roth G, Barbare JC, Baumann AS, Boige V, Boudjema K, Bouattour M, Crehange G, Dauvois B, Decaens T, Dewaele F, Farges O, Guiu B, Hollebecque A, Merle P, Selves J, Aparicio T, Ruiz I, Bouché O. Hepatocellular carcinoma: French Intergroup Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up (SNFGE, FFCD, GERCOR, UNICANCER, SFCD, SFED, SFRO, AFEF, SIAD, SFR/FRI). Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2021; 45:101590. [PMID: 33780876 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2020.101590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) published in March 2019. METHOD It is a collaborative work under the auspices of most of the French medical societies involved in the management of HCC. It is based on the previous guidelines published in 2017. Recommendations are graded in 3 categories according to the level of evidence of data found in the literature. RESULTS The diagnosis and staging of HCC is essentially based on clinical, biological and imaging features. A pathological analysis obtained by a biopsy of tumoral and non-tumoral liver is recommended. HCCs can be divided into 2 groups, taking into account not only the tumor stage, but also liver function. HCCs accessible to curative treatments are tumors that are in Milan criteria or with an AFP score ≤ 2, mainly treated by surgical resection, local ablation or liver transplantation. Intermediate and advanced HCCs with no liver insufficiency, accessible only to palliative treatments, benefit from TACE, SIRT or systemic therapy according to the presence or absence of macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic spread. CONCLUSION Such recommendations are in permanent optimization and each individual case must be discussed in a multidisciplinary expert board.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gaël Roth
- CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rimassa L, Wörns M. Navigating the new landscape of second-line treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2020; 40:1800-1811. [PMID: 32432830 PMCID: PMC7496898 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib and lenvatinib are approved for first-line treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab has been demonstrated versus sorafenib. Over time, first-line treatment frequently fails, and regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab (for patients with alpha fetoprotein ≥400 ng/mL), nivolumab, pembrolizumab and ipilimumab plus nivolumab are approved for use after sorafenib (but not lenvatinib) treatment in advanced HCC. Given the considerable complexity in the therapeutic landscape, the objective of this review was to summarize the clinical evidence for second-line agents and provide practical guidance for selecting the best sequential treatment approach. The timing and sequencing of treatment switches are key to optimizing patient outcomes in advanced HCC, and decisions should be informed by reasons for discontinuation of previous therapy and disease progression. It is important not to switch too soon, because sequential treatment benefit may then be lost, nor should switching be delayed too long. Effectiveness, safety and tolerability, patient quality of life, route of administration, dosing regimen, drug class, molecular target and individual patients' characteristics, including comorbidities, inform the selection of second-line systemic treatment, independently of the aetiology of HCC, tumour stage and the response to previous treatment. Biomarkers predictive of treatment effectiveness are of great value, but currently biomarker-driven patient selection is possible only in the case of ramucirumab. The approval of new combination therapies for advanced HCC in the first-line setting will further increase the complexity of decision-making. However, the important factors will remain the individual patient's characteristics and preferences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Medical Oncology and Hematology UnitHumanitas Cancer CenterHumanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCSMilanItaly
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
| | - Marcus‐Alexander Wörns
- Department of Internal Medicine I/Cirrhosis Center Mainz (CCM)University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg‐UniversityMainzGermany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yen CJ, Kudo M, Lim HY, Hsu CH, Vogel A, Brandi G, Cheng R, Nitu IS, Abada P, Hsu Y, Zhu AX, Kang YK. Efficacy and Safety of Ramucirumab in Asian and Non-Asian Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein: Pooled Individual Data Analysis of Two Randomized Studies. Liver Cancer 2020; 9:440-454. [PMID: 32999870 PMCID: PMC7506228 DOI: 10.1159/000506946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE REACH-2 and REACH were randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter phase 3 trials which showed survival benefits of ramucirumab treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in Asian and non-Asian patients with AFP ≥400 ng/mL from REACH-2 and REACH. METHODS We pooled Asian and non-Asian patients from the REACH-2 and REACH trials and performed an individual patient data meta-analysis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated with a stratified Cox regression model. RESULTS In the pooled REACH-2 and REACH patient population, 291 Asian patients were randomly assigned to receive ramucirumab (n = 168) or placebo (n = 123), and 251 non-Asian patients received ramucirumab (n = 148) or placebo (n = 103). The median OS was significantly longer in the ramucirumab arm in comparison to the placebo arm for Asian patients (8.08 vs. 4.76 months, stratified HR 0.73 [95% CI 0.56-0.95], p = 0.0189) and non-Asian patients (7.98 vs. 5.22 months, stratified HR 0.65 [95% CI 0.49-0.86], p = 0.0028). The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were significantly higher in the ramucirumab arm compared to the placebo arm for Asian patients (ORR: 4.2 vs. 0.8%; DCR: 53.6 vs. 33.3%) and non-Asian patients (ORR: 6.8 vs. 1.0%; DCR: 59.5 vs. 41.7%). The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events reported in the ramucirumab arm were hypertension (7.7%), decreased appetite (1.2%), and ascites (1.2%) for Asian patients and hypertension (16.9%), ascites (8.8%), asthenia (4.7%), and fatigue (5.4%) for non-Asian patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This pooled analysis of the REACH-2/REACH trials demonstrates significant benefits, with a manageable safety profile, of ramucirumab treatment in Asian and non-Asian patients with advanced HCC and baseline AFP ≥400 ng/mL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jui Yen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ho-Yeong Lim
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chih-Hung Hsu
- National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Giovanni Brandi
- Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Abada
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Yanzhi Hsu
- TG Therapeutics Inc., New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew X. Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yoon-Koo Kang
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea,*Yoon-Koo Kang, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505 (South Korea),
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Roviello G, Sohbani N, Petrioli R, Rodriquenz MG. Ramucirumab as a second line therapy for advanced HCC: a significant achievement or a wasted opportunity for personalised therapy? Invest New Drugs 2019; 37:1274-1288. [PMID: 30879152 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The second line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has recently become an exciting area of interest since new emerging options have demonstrated survival benefits versus placebo. Unfortunately, predictive biomarkers are unavailable for these treatments. Ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGFR-2, has demonstrated overall survival superiority against placebo as a second line therapy for patients with AFP > 400 ng/ml in the recent REACH-2 trial. This review will provide the current updated knowledge regarding the HCC cancerogenesis and angiogenic VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathways and the clinical development of ramucirumab in advanced HCC. This study will also critically assess the gaps in a previous negative phase III trial that tested other potentially useful treatments and suggest ways to modernise clinical trials and personalise therapy for advanced HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giandomenico Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Navid Sohbani
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Petrioli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Rodriquenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, via Padre Pio 1, 85028, Rionero, Vulture, PZ, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cerrito L, Ponziani FR, Garcovich M, Tortora A, Annicchiarico BE, Pompili M, Siciliano M, Gasbarrini A. Regorafenib: a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2018; 19:1941-1948. [PMID: 30345837 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2018.1534956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors with 854,000 new cases per year and represents the second most frequent cause of cancer-death. Despite surveillance, the number of patients that are diagnosed at a stage in which they are eligible for curative treatments ranges from 30% to 60%. Advanced HCC (BCLC-C) is characterized by a median survival of 6 months. Sorafenib, the first systemic drug proven to be effective in prolonging survival of unresectable HCC, was approved by the FDA in 2007 but no second-line treatment was available for a decade for patients progressing on sorafenib. Finally, in 2016, the RESORCE trial demonstrated regorafenib as an effective second-line treatment. Areas covered: In this manuscript, the authors review the principal preclinical and clinical trials on regorafenib used in the treatment of unresectable HCC patients progressing on sorafenib and highlight both the advantages and the limitations of this drug. Expert opinion: Regorafenib is the only second-line treatment available for patients progressing on sorafenib. Despite its promising clinical application, many doubts still remain, necessitating further investigation to explore the tolerability of this drug in Child-Pugh B and sorafenib-intolerant patients, while its scarce cost-effectiveness must also be improved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cerrito
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Francesca R Ponziani
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Matteo Garcovich
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Annalisa Tortora
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Brigida E Annicchiarico
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Massimo Siciliano
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- a Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| |
Collapse
|