Prognostic Factors Associated with Postprogression Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Sorafenib Not Eligible for Second-Line Regorafenib Treatment

Treatment options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis virus infection following sorafenib failure

Background

Currently, there are a few treatment options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after progression following sorafenib (SOR) therapy, but with limited benefit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as second-line treatment.

Methods

From May 2018 to May 2021, a total of 93 HCCs who failed SOR treatment were included in this study and divided into TKI group (n = 37) and TKI-ICI group (n = 56). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety were estimated among the two groups. In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for OS and PFS to identify possible prognostic factors.

Results

With a median follow-up time of 13.7 months, the median age of patients was 56 (range, 50–64) years and most were male. All of the patients were hepatitis virus-related HCC. Both median OS (7.63 months vs 19.23 months, P < 0.001) and median PFS (2.97 months vs 8.63 months, P < 0.001) were significantly improved in the TKI-ICI group compared to the TKI group. A significant increase in DCR was demonstrated in the TKI-ICI group compared to the TKI group (83.9% vs 45.9%, P = 0.0003), although no significant difference in ORR was reported (21.4% vs 8.1%, P = 0.1552). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of OS and PFS revealed that second-line regimen was an independent protective factor affecting death and progression in HCCs after SOR failure. In addition, Child–Pugh B7 was an independent risk factor of OS. Finally, there was no significant difference in the incidence of any grade or grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) between the two groups, and no treatment-related deaths were observed.

Conclusion

This real-world study suggests that the combination of TKIs and ICIs benefits more than mono-TKIs and is well tolerated in HCCs with hepatitis virus infection after SOR failure.

Real-world effectiveness of lenvatinib monotherapy in previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in US clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Lenvatinib monotherapy was approved in the United States for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in 2018. This study assessed real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of lenvatinib beyond first-line systemic treatment in the United States.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted among US adults (≥18 years) with uHCC. Eligible patients initiated lenvatinib monotherapy as second- or later-line systemic therapy (2L-plus) from August 2018 to September 2019. Clinical outcomes included physician-reported best response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of 164 patients who received lenvatinib in 2L-plus, most (n = 133; 81.1%) received lenvatinib in 2 L. There were 109 patients (66.4%) who initiated lenvatinib after immunotherapy. At lenvatinib initiation, only 31.1% of patients had Child-Pugh class A, while half (49.4%) had Child-Pugh class B. Most patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B (23.8%) or C (38.4%) uHCC. Median duration of lenvatinib treatment was 6.9 months, with 42.7% of patients still on treatment at the end of follow-up. Physician-reported best response was complete and partial response for 8.5% and 44.5% of patients, respectively. PFS and OS rate estimates from lenvatinib initiation at 12 months were 51.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Among patients treated after immunotherapy, complete and partial responses were 10.1% and 43.1%, respectively, and PFS and OS estimates from lenvatinib initiation at 12 months were 52.8% and 60.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study suggests clinical effectiveness of lenvatinib monotherapy in a real-world setting among previously treated patients with uHCC, including among those previously treated with immunotherapy.

RUFY3 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through activating NF-κB-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

RUFY3 (RUN and FYVE domain-containing protein 3) has been demonstrated to exhibit carcinogenic effect in multiple malignancies. However, the exact role of RUFY3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains elusive. Herein, we aimed to identify the role and the underlying mechanism of RUFY3 in HCC progression. The RUFY3 levels in HCC specimens were detected by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry, and its clinical significance in HCC patients was assessed. The effect of RUFY3 on HCC cell growth, migration, and invasion was explored by CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, and transwell migration and invasion assays in vitro. The effect of RUFY3 on HCC cell growth and metastasis was also conducted in vivo through establishing xenograft tumor and lung metastatic mice model. The underlying mechanism responsible for RUFY3-induced HCC cell behavior was also investigated. Our results indicated that high levels of RUFY3 significantly correlated with tumor size, microvascular invasion, clinical stage, and poor prognosis for HCC patients. In addition, RUFY3 facilitated HCC cell growth, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo through activating nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NF-κB)-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our results revealed that RUFY3 accelerated HCC progression via driving NF-κB-mediated EMT, suggesting a novel target for HCC treatment.

ERCC6L promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through activating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathway

Background

Excision Repair Cross-Complementation group 6-like (ERCC6L) has been shown to exhibit carcinogenic effect in several malignant tumors. However, the function and molecular mechanism of the ERCC6L in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been investigated extensively.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry analyses were used to detect ERCC6L expression in a HCC tissue microarray, and the Chi-square test was used to assess the correlation between ERCC6L expression and patients’ clinicopathological features. shRNA was used to down-regulation ERCC6L expression in HCC cell lines. MTT assay, plate clone formation assay, flow cytometry, caspase 3/7 activity and migration assays were performed to evaluate the impact of ERCC6L on HCC cells in vitro. Nude mice xenograft models were used to assess the role of ERCC6L in vivo. The regulatory of mechanism of PI3K/AKT pathway was evaluated by western blotting.

Results

ERCC6L was highly expressed in HCC tissue compared with tumor adjacent tissues in 90 paired samples. ERCC6L expression positively correlated with gender, tumor encapsulation, and pathological stage. Patients with low ERCC6L expression had significantly longer OS than those with high ERCC6L expression. Knockdown of ERCC6L expression significantly inhibited proliferation, invasion and metastasis in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, and it promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistic analyses revealed that PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathway were inhibited by silencing ERCC6L.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that ERCC6L plays a critical role in HCC progression, and thereby might be a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.

Targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The last 3 years have seen the emergence of promising targeted therapies for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib has been the mainstay of treatment for a decade and newer modalities were ineffective and did not confer any increased therapeutic benefit until the introduction of lenvatinib which was approved based on its non-inferiority to sorafenib. The subsequent success of regorafenib in HCC patients who progress on sorafenib treatment heralded a new era of second-line treatment and was quickly followed by ramucirumab, cabozantinib, and the most influential, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Over the same period combination therapies, including anti-angiogenesis agents with ICIs, dual ICIs and targeted agents in conjunction with surgery or other loco-regional therapies, have been extensively investigated and have shown promise and provided the basis for exciting clinical trials. Work continues to develop additional novel therapeutic agents which could potentially augment the presently available options and understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for drug resistance, with the goal of improving the survival of patients with HCC.

Potential use of lenvatinib for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma including after treatment with sorafenib: Real-world evidence and in vitro assessment via protein phosphorylation array

The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib (LEN) as a second/third-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sorafenib (SOR) therapy remains unknown. We evaluated the outcomes of second/third-line LEN treatment, investigated the sensitivity of a SOR-resistant HCC cell line (PLC/PRF5-R2) to LEN, and assessed their signal transduction pathways by protein array analysis. We retrospectively enrolled 57 patients with unresectable HCC. Fifty-three radiologically evaluated patients comprised 34 molecular-targeted agent (MTA)-naive (first-line), nine intolerant to SOR (second-line), and 10 resistant to regorafenib (third-line). The objective response rates (ORRs) were 61.8% in first-line, 33.3% in second-line, and 20.0% in third-line groups. The overall survival (OS) in the first-line was significantly longer than that in the third-line group (p < 0.05). Patients with better liver functional reserves (child score, ALBI grade) exhibited higher ORR and longer OS. The IC₅₀ of LEN against PLC/PRF5-R2 was significantly higher than that against PLC/PRF5. LEN significantly inhibited more LEN-related signal transduction pathways in PLC/PRF5 than in PLC/PRF5-R2 cells. This suggests that LEN is active and safe as a second/third-line treatment for unresectable HCC. LEN seems more effective for patients with HCC with better hepatic reserve functions or before MTA-resistance is acquired because of the partial cross-resistance to SOR.

Early Tumor Shrinkage as a Predictive Factor for Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Lenvatinib: A Multicenter Analysis

We investigated the association between early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and treatment outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with lenvatinib (LEN). A retrospective analysis was performed in 104 patients. ETS was defined as tumor shrinkage at the first evaluation in the sum of target lesions’ longest diameters from baseline according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The median overall survival (OS) was not reached, whereas the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in differentiating long-term responders (PFS ≥ 5.0 months) from short-term responders (PFS < 5.0 months) revealed an ETS cut-off value of 10%. ETS ≥ 10% was significantly correlated with better PFS and OS compared with ETS < 10%. Additionally, ETS ≥ 10% showed a better discrimination ability on prognosis compared with modified RECIST-based objective response at the first evaluation. Multivariate analysis confirmed ETS ≥ 10% as an independent predictor of better OS, as well as a Child–Pugh score of 5 and macrovascular invasion. In conclusion, ETS ≥ 10% was strongly associated with outcome in patients treated with LEN. This biomarker could allow earlier assessment of the treatment response and guide treatment decision-making for HCC.

High cholinesterase predicts tolerance to sorafenib treatment and improved prognosis in patients with transarterial chemoembolization refractory intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Although sorafenib is the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predictive factors sorafenib tolerance in intermediate-stage HCC cannot be accurately determined. The aim of the current study was to identify the predictive characteristics for the continuation of sorafenib treatment (≥400 mg) in patients with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)-refractory intermediate HCC and to identify candidates for second-line sorafenib treatment. A total of 33 TACE-refractory intermediate patients with HCC that were treated with sorafenib, and who had reached progressive disease (PD), were analyzed in the present retrospective study. Of 33 patients, 6 patients (18.1%) were able to continue sorafenib treatment (≥400 mg) until PD, however, a total of 27 patients (71.9%) were unable to continue treatment (<400 mg). The current study compared the baseline characteristics parameters to sorafenib ≥400 mg and <400 mg using a logistic regression model. The overall survival (OS) of patients receiving sorafenib ≥400 mg treatment was significantly increased compared with patients receiving sorafenib treatment <400 mg [554.5 days (228-674) vs. 219 days (134-369); P=0.0315). A univariate analysis was performed and indicated that Age (<75 years; P=0.021), total cholesterol (>180 mg/dl; P=0.026) and cholinesterase (ChE; ≥220 U/l; P=0.024) were significant factors, and a multivariate analysis indicated that ChE (≥220 U/l) was a significant prognostic factor (HR: 11.9; 95% CI: 1.19-118.0; P=0.004). Both progression-free survival [279 (204-403) vs. 117.5 (63-197) days; P=0.0136] and OS [470 (277-679) vs. 171.5 (80-236) days; P=0.0004] were significantly increased in patients with ChE levels ≥220 U/l compared with patients exhibiting ChE levels <220 U/l. Baseline high value of ChE in intermediate-stage HCC predicts the ability to continue sorafenib treatment at ≥400 mg.

Successful Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Regorafenib after Sorafenib-induced Hypersensitivity

Sorafenib and regorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and which have similar chemical structures and toxicity profiles. We herein report a case in which regorafenib treatment could be continued for 10 months and stable disease could be maintained for a long period despite the discontinuation of sorafenib due to grade 4 liver injury and grade 3 fever. The severe adverse events could be attributed to drug hypersensitivity, since a drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) indicated sensitivity to sorafenib. A DLST for regorafenib was negative. This is the first report showing that regorafenib could be safely administered after the discontinuation of sorafenib due to hypersensitivity.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidates for second-line therapy, including regorafenib and ramucirumab, for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after sorafenib treatment

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidates for second-line therapy, including regorafenib and ramucirumab, for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sorafenib treatment.

METHODS

Of 122 patients, 103 were radiologically confirmed as progressive disease (PD) (sorafenib-refractory group), and 19 discontinued sorafenib therapy due to adverse events prior to radiologic PD (sorafenib-intolerant group). Patients in the sorafenib-refractory group were divided into two subgroups each, according to their eligibility for second-line treatment (second-line-in and -out group), regorafenib (RESORCE-in and -out group), or ramucirumab (REACH-2-in and -out group).

RESULTS

Patients included in the non-candidate group were those with α-fetoprotein level <400 ng/mL (n = 51, 49.5%), daily sorafenib dose <400 mg (n = 44, 42.7%), Child-Pugh B or C (n = 40, 38.8%), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score ≥2 (n = 24, 23.3%). The percentages of candidates were 57.3% for second-line, 35.0% for regorafenib, and 23.3% for ramucirumab. The median post-progression survival (PPS) was significantly longer for the second-line-in and the RESORCE-in groups than in the non-candidate groups (12.6 and 11.0 months vs. 3.0 and 6.1 months, respectively). The PPS was not significantly different between the REACH-2-in and -out groups. A significant predictor of candidates for second-line treatment at sorafenib initiation was a Child-Pugh score of 5 (A5).

CONCLUSIONS

Not all patients refractory to sorafenib were candidates for second-line therapy. A Child-Pugh score of A5 at sorafenib initiation was an important and favorable factor related to eligibility for second-line therapy and good outcomes.

Baseline and Early Predictors of Good Patient Candidates for Second-Line after Sorafenib Treatment in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Recent advances in the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have enabled patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to receive multiple TKIs in sequence. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of good candidates for second-line treatment after disease progression during sorafenib treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 190 consecutive HCC patients who were treated with sorafenib in our hospital. Three criteria of good candidates for second-line TKI at the time of disease progression during sorafenib treatment were defined as follows: criterion 1 was the same as the inclusion criteria of the regorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed on sorafenib treatment (RESORCE) study, criterion 2 was the inclusion criteria of the RESORCE study plus Child–Pugh score 5, and criterion 3 was the inclusion criteria of the RESORCE study plus albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade 1. Factors at baseline and at week 4 during sorafenib treatment were used to predict patients fulfilling each of these three criteria. Results: The distribution of patients was 29%, 13%, and 6% in criteria 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Significant factors for meeting criterion 1 was the combination of baseline albumin >3.7 g/dL (odds ratio (OR) 2.7) plus degree of decrease in albumin (Δalbumin) at week 4 <0.2 g/dL (OR 2.6), or the combination of baseline ALBI score <−2.33 (OR 2.5) and ΔALBI at week 4 <0.255 (OR 4.9). For criterion 2, the value of baseline albumin and ALBI score was identical to criterion 1; however, Δalbumin (<0.1 g/dL) and ΔALBI score (<0.19) became stricter. For criterion 3, the value of baseline albumin (>3.8 g/dL) and ALBI (<−2.55) became stricter, as did Δalbumin (<0.1 g/dL) and ΔALBI (<0.085). Furthermore, tumor burden (>11) was selected as an additional predictor (OR 5.4). Conclusion: Predictors to satisfy the RESORCE study inclusion criteria were as follows: preserved liver function at baseline, as reflected by albumin or ALBI score, and small deterioration of liver function early during sorafenib therapy, as reflected by Δalbumin or ΔALBI at week 4. Liver function at baseline and degree of change in liver function during sorafenib treatment need to be stricter for better outcomes of liver function with disease progression.

Hypoxia-inducible gene 2 promotes the immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma from nature killer cells through the interleukin-10-STAT3 signaling pathway

Background

The study examines the expression and function of hypoxia-inducible gene 2 (HIG2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cells.

Methods

Forty patients with HCC were included in the study. Bioinformatic analysis was used to analyze the clinical relevance of HIG2 expression in HCC tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression of target proteins in tumor tissues. Hepatic HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with HIG2-targeting siRNA with Lipofectamine 2000. qRT-PCR was carried out to determine gene expression levels, while Western blotting was used to determine protein expression. A CCK-8 assay was performed to detect proliferation of cells, while migration and invasion of cells were studied by Transwell assay. Flow cytometry was carried out to detect surface markers and effector molecules in Nature killercells, as well as the killing effect of NK cells.

Results

HIG2 expression was upregulated in HCC. Silencing of HIG2 suppressed HCC cell migration and invasion. The killing effect of NK cells on HCC cells was enhanced after HIG2 was silenced in HCC cells. Conditioned media from HIG2-silenced SMMC-7721 cells inhibited the phenotype and function of NK cells. HCC cells with silenced expression of HIG2 modulated the activity of NK cells via STAT3. HIG2 promoted the evasion of HCC cells from killing by NK cells through upregulation of IL-10 expression.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that HIG2 activates the STAT3 signaling pathway in NK cells by promoting IL-10 release by HCC cells, thereby inhibiting the killing activity of NK cells, and subsequently promoting the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.

Clinical features of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real-world conditions: Multicenter analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Presently, there are no therapeutic options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC) patients who are intolerant to sorafenib or regorafenib failure. There have been no reports with detailed clinical findings of lenvatinib (LEN), a newly developed first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), obtained in real-world practice. We aimed to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of LEN.

MATERIALS/METHODS

From March to August 2018, 105 u-HCC patients were treated with LEN. Following exclusion of those who started with a reduced LEN dose and/or had a short observation period (<2 weeks), 77 patients (72.0 ± 8.9 years, 59 males, 8 mg/12 mg = 49/28, Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan 6th [LCSGJ]-TNM stage II/III/IVa/IVb = 8/28/4/37, and American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control 8th [AJCC/UICC]-TNM stage IB:II:IIIA:IIIB:IVA:IVB = 2:27:6:5:9:28) were divided into two groups (TKI naïve [n = 33] and TKI experienced [n = 44], including 11 with regorafenib history). Therapeutic response was evaluated using mRECIST. Clinical data were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in age (74.6 ± 11.2 vs 70.0 ± 5.9 years, P = 0.040), LCSGJ-TNM (II:III:IVa:IVb = 8:12:1:12 vs 0:16:3:25, P = 0.006), and AJCC/UICC-TNM (IB:II:IIIA:IIIB:IVA:IVB = 2:17:1:1:4:8 vs 0:10:5:4:5:20, P = 0.028), while hepatic reserve function, adverse event (AE) profiles, and progression-free survival (89.7%/80.4% vs 90.5%/80.1%, P = 0.499) and overall survival (96.7%/96.7% vs 100%/92.3%, P = 0.769) after 4 and 12 weeks were not significantly different between the TKI-naïve and TKI-experienced groups. Overall response rate and disease control rate at 4 weeks (n = 52) were 38.5% and 80.8%, respectively, and 32.4% and 70.3%, respectively, at 12 weeks (n = 37). A significant decline in log10 AFP from the baseline to 4 weeks after introducing LEN was observed in patients with PR and SD (2.047 ± 1.148 vs 1.796 ± 1.179, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Regardless of past TKI therapy, therapeutic response and AEs after introducing LEN were similar. LEN may be an important treatment for the present unmet need regarding TKI treatment against u-HCC.

Important Clinical Factors in Sequential Therapy Including Lenvatinib against Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

We evaluated clinical factors related to improved prognosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients (u-HCC), who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sequential therapy, including lenvatinib (LEN).

MATERIALS/METHODS

We enrolled 84 u-HCC cases treated with TKIs including LEN from March 2018 to January 2019 (median age 71 years, 63 males, Child-Pugh score (CPS) 5/6/7 = 62/21/1, tumor-node-metastasis stage of Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan 6th (TNM-LCSGJ) II/III/IVa/IVb = 12/30/5/37, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B/C = 33:51). Clinical findings at introduction of the initial TKI were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The median albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score at introduction of the initial TKI (sorafenib [SOR]/LEN = 80/4) was -2.56, and the past number of transarterial catheter chemoembolization was 3 (IQR: 2-5) (second-line: regorafenib [REG]/LEN/SOR = 31/49/4, third-line: LEN/REG = 31:1). The total period of administration with TKIs showed a good relationship with overall survival (OS) (r = 0.946, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.918-0.965, p < 0.001). The prognosis of the entire cohort was good (estimated median survival time: 46.4 months, 1-/2-/3-year OS rate [OSR] = 87.7/63.0/57.2%). A modified-ALBI grade (mALBI) of 2b (ALBI score >-2.27) was the only significant factor at the start of the initial TKI for poor prognosis (hazard ratio 2.319, 95% CI: 1.064-5.052, p = 0.034), while CPS (≥6) was not. Although there was no significant difference in TNM-LCSGJ (p = 0.213), the prognosis of patients with mALBI 1/2a (n = 66) showed better prognosis as compared to those with mALBI 2b (n = 18) (1-year/2-year/3-year OSR = 89.1/69.8/66% vs. 82.4/47.1/23.5%, p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Good hepatic function (mALBI 1/2a) at introduction of the initial TKI is a requirement for improved prognosis of u-HCC undergoing TKI sequential therapy.