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Cabibbo G, Celsa C, Rimassa L, Torres F, Rimola J, Kloeckner R, Bruix J, Cammà C, Reig M. Navigating the landscape of liver cancer management: Study designs in clinical trials and clinical practice. J Hepatol 2024; 80:957-966. [PMID: 38307346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its prognosis is highly heterogeneous, being related not only to tumour burden but also to the severity of underlying chronic liver disease. Moreover, advances in systemic therapies for HCC have increased the complexity of patient management. Randomised-controlled trials represent the gold standard for evidence generation across all areas of medicine and especially in the oncology field, as they allow for unbiased estimates of treatment effect without confounders. Observational studies have many problems that could reduce their internal and external validity. However, large prospective (well-conducted) observational real-world studies can detect rare adverse events or monitor the occurrence of long-term adverse events. How best to harness real world data, which refers to data generated from the routine care of patients, and real-world 'evidence', which is the evidence generated from real-world data, represents an open challenge. In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of the benefits and limitations of different study designs, particularly focusing on randomised-controlled trials and observational studies, to address important and not fully resolved questions in HCC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Ciro Celsa
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS London, UK
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele (Milan), Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Ferran Torres
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical School, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rimola
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roman Kloeckner
- Institute of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein-Campus Lubeck, 23583 Lubeck, Germany
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Calogero Cammà
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain; Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain.
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Fortuny M, Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Reig M. Systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma: A revolution? United European Gastroenterol J 2024; 12:252-260. [PMID: 38267015 PMCID: PMC10954433 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolution in systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) signifies a strategy of high-cost, high-gain innovation that originated with sorafenib, despite its limited impact on tumor response. This strategic approach paved the way for the emergence of a second wave of the short-lived competitive advantage, exemplified by the incorporation of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and tremelimumab plus durvalumab. In the context of safety concerns within the liver cancer domain, the IMBRAVE150 and HIMALAYA trials boldly incorporated bevacizumab and tremelimumab, respectively, demonstrating the continuation of the high-risk, high-reward innovation paradigm. This review delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of systemic therapies in the field of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Fortuny
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Sanduzzi-Zamparelli
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain
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Cabibbo G, Daniele B, Borzio M, Casadei-Gardini A, Cillo U, Colli A, Conforti M, Dadduzio V, Dionisi F, Farinati F, Gardini I, Giannini EG, Golfieri R, Guido M, Mega A, Minozzi S, Piscaglia F, Rimassa L, Romanini L, Pecorelli A, Sacco R, Scorsetti M, Viganò L, Vitale A, Trevisani F. Multidisciplinary Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 2023: Italian practice Treatment Guidelines of the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF), Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Italian Association of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery (AICEP), Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists (AIGO), Italian Association of Radiology and Clinical Oncology (AIRO), Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytology (SIAPeC-IAP), Italian Society of Surgery (SIC), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), Italian Organ Transplant Society (SITO), and Association of Patients with Hepatitis and Liver Disease (EpaC) - Part I - Surgical treatments. Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:223-234. [PMID: 38030455 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. The remarkable improvements in treating HCC achieved in the last years have increased the complexity of HCC management. Following the need to have updated guidelines on the multidisciplinary treatment management of HCC, the Italian Scientific Societies involved in the management of this cancer have promoted the drafting of a new dedicated document. This document was drawn up according to the GRADE methodology needed to produce guidelines based on evidence. Here is presented the first part of guidelines, focused on the multidisciplinary tumor board of experts and surgical treatments of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties PROMISE, University of Palermo, Italy; Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy.
| | - Bruno Daniele
- Oncology Unit, Ospedale del Mare, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mauro Borzio
- Centro Diagnostico Italiano (CDI), Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- General Surgery 2-Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Agostino Colli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Trasfusionale ed Ematologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Dadduzio
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Mons. A.R.Dimiccoli" Hospital, Barletta, ASL BT, Italy
| | - Francesco Dionisi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute - Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Ivan Gardini
- EpaC Onlus, Italian Liver Patient Association, Turin, Italy
| | - Edoardo Giovanni Giannini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rita Golfieri
- Alma Mater Studiorum" Bologna University, Bologna, Italy; Radiology Unit Madre Fortunata Toniolo Private Hospital, coordinator of Radiology centers Medipass Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova- Italy
| | - Andrea Mega
- Department of Gastronterology, Regional Hospital Bolzano, Italy
| | - Silvia Minozzi
- Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Romanini
- Radiology Unit, Ospedale di Cremona, ASST Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Anna Pecorelli
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Marta Scorsetti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20090 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery, Humanitas Research Hospital IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Viganò
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Minimally Invasive General & Oncologic Surgery, Humanitas Gavazzeni University Hospital, Viale M. Gavazzeni 21, 24125 Bergamo, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Viale Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- General Surgery 2-Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy; Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
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Pinter M, Reig M, Cabibbo G. Analysis of individual patient data in patients with HCC treated with immunotherapy: A step forward for clinical trial design. Hepatology 2023; 78:1684-1687. [PMID: 37300382 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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