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Hwang SY, Lee SL, Liu H, Lee SS. Second-Line Treatment after Failure of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Retrial of Immunotherapy, or Locoregional Therapy? Liver Cancer 2024; 13:246-255. [PMID: 38894810 PMCID: PMC11185856 DOI: 10.1159/000534303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapy such as atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or durvalumab plus tremelimumab became mainstream first-line systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients since remarkably superior efficacy of ICI-based therapy compared to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was reported in two recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (IMbrave150, HIMALAYA). However, the optimal second-line therapy after treatment failure of first-line ICI-based therapy remains unknown as no RCT has examined this issue. Summary Therefore, at present, most clinicians are empirically treating patients with TKIs or retrial of ICI or locoregional treatment (LRT) modality such as transarterial therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and radiation therapy in this clinical setting without solid evidence. In this review, we will discuss current optimal strategies for second-line treatment after the failure of first-line ICI-based therapy by reviewing published studies and ongoing prospective trials. Key Messages Clinicians should consider carefully whether to treat the patients with TKI, other ICI-based therapy, or LRT in this situation by considering several factors including liver function reserve, performance status, adverse events of previous therapy, and presence of lesion that can consider LRT such as oligoprogression and vascular invasion. In the meantime, we await the results of ongoing prospective trials to elucidate the best management options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Youn Hwang
- Liver Unit, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan, South Korea
| | - Sangjune L. Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hongqun Liu
- Liver Unit, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Samuel S. Lee
- Liver Unit, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Buttell A, Qiu W. The action and resistance mechanisms of Lenvatinib in liver cancer. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1918-1934. [PMID: 37671815 PMCID: PMC10840925 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Lenvatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that prevents the formation of new blood vessels namely by inhibiting tyrosine kinase enzymes as the name suggests. Specifically, Lenvatinib acts on vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1-3 (VEGFR1-3), fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4 (FGFR1-4), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRα), tyrosine-kinase receptor (KIT), and rearranged during transfection receptor (RET). Inhibition of these receptors works to inhibit tumor proliferation. It is through these inhibition mechanisms that Lenvatinib was tested to be noninferior to Sorafenib. However, resistance to Lenvatinib is common, making the positive effects of Lenvatinib on a patient's survival null after resistance is acquired. Therefore, it is crucial to understand mechanisms related to Lenvatinib resistance. This review aims to piece together various mechanisms involved in Lenvatinib resistance and summarizes the research done so far investigating it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buttell
- Departments of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Qiu
- Departments of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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Liu J, Yang L, Wei S, Li J, Yi P. Efficacy and safety of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:16191-16201. [PMID: 37658861 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib are the current first-line systematic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, the selection of initial treatment among the two therapies are controversial. This meta-analysis aims to compare efficacy and safety between atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib. METHODS We systematically searched for studies on atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib in the online databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. The outcome data including overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), tumor response and adverse events (AEs), were independently extracted by two authors in a standardized way. RESULTS Eight retrospective cohort studies with 3690 patients (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab: 1680, lenvatinib: 2010) were included in the meta-analysis. The atezolizumab plus bevacizumab group had significant longer PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.65-0.88; I squared statistic (I2) = 0.0%, p = 0.590], compared with lenvatinib group but no significant difference in OS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75-1.01; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.597), objective response rate (ORR) [risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-1.02; I2 = 19.3%, p = 0.283] and disease control rate (DCR) (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.98-1.09; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.467) among them. Moreover, patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab exhibited lower incidences of grade 3/4 AEs than those receiving lenvatinib (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51-0.83; I2 = 69.3%, p = 0.003). However, in non-viral patients group, lenvatinib delivered favorable outcomes in OS (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.67; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.380) compared with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. CONCLUSION Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab provides potential advantage in efficacy and better safety than lenvatinib in the treatment of uHCC. Lenvatinib is an appropriate effective alternative to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients without viral infecting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junning Liu
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancrease II, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Linfeng Yang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancrease II, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Song Wei
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancrease II, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Jijiang Li
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancrease II, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Pengsheng Yi
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancrease II, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China.
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Cerreto M, Cardone F, Cerrito L, Stella L, Santopaolo F, Pallozzi M, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. The New Era of Systemic Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From the First Line to the Optimal Sequence. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:8774-8792. [PMID: 37887533 PMCID: PMC10605429 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the most common primary liver cancer and is considered a major global health problem as one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the world. Due to the increase in life expectancy and the epidemiological growth of specific risk factors, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the incidence of HCC is growing globally, and mortality rates are still high. Moreover, patients frequently present at an intermediate or advanced tumor stage, when curative treatments, such as surgical resection, liver transplantation or ablation are no longer applicable. In these cases, trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE), and systemic therapy are the only suitable options to achieve disease control. The multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib has been the only systemic treatment available for unresectable advanced HCC for almost a decade, but in the last couple of years new therapeutic options have emerged. Recent advances in understanding the interactions between the tumor and its microenvironment, especially cancer immune escape, led to the advent of immunotherapy. Currently, first-line systemic treatment for HCC is represented by the combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, but many other ICIs have been investigated, such as Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab and Ipilimumab. However, the problem of second- and third-line therapies, and the correct sequence of treatments remains open and is not addressed in most studies. This explains the urge to find new systemic treatments that can improve the survival and quality of life in patients that can go beyond the first line of treatment. The aim of this paper is to offer a complete overview of the most recent innovations in systemic treatments for unresectable locally advanced and metastatic HCC, including emerging therapies, with a particular focus on treatment sequences. Moreover, we will provide an outlook on possible future approaches to patients who progress beyond first-line therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cerreto
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Ferdinando Cardone
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Lucia Cerrito
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Leonardo Stella
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Maria Pallozzi
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Liver Unit—CEMAD, Centro Malattie Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.); (L.C.); (L.S.); (F.S.); (M.P.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Tajiri K, Tsukada K, Tokimitsu Y, Motofuji Y, Kawai K, Muraishi N, Murayama A, Hayashi Y, Shimizu Y, Yasuda I. Objective Response and Progression-Free Survival Contribute to Prolong Overall Survival in Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Oncology 2023; 102:131-140. [PMID: 37666216 DOI: 10.1159/000533952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) is a standard treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its good antitumor and survival prolongation effects. Post-progression survival (PPS) has been reported to be a great contributor in the treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for unresectable HCC. This study aimed to clarify the significance of progression-free survival (PFS) or PPS of Atez/Bev treatment for HCC. METHODS We analyzed the correlations of PFS and PPS with overall survival (OS) in studies of HCC patients treated with Atez/Bev and evaluated the contribution to OS in Atez/Bev treatment with patients at our institutions as clinical practice. RESULTS Analysis of 18 studies involving 3,752 patients treated with Atez/Bev found that PPS had a stronger correlation with OS (R2 = 0.872, p < 0.001) than did PFS (R2 = 0.605, p = 0.001). Analysis of 80 patients with unresectable HCC treated with Atez/Bev found that presence of antitumor responses during Atez/Bev was the most significant contributor to OS, and post-progression treatment after Atez/Bev also significantly contribute to OS. CONCLUSION The presence of antitumor response with tumor shrinkage during Atez/Bev treatment contributes to good OS through its durable response. Atez/Bev treatment could be considered as first-line treatment for unresectable HCC. However, there is a need for optimal biomarkers for good antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuto Tajiri
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Tsukada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kouseiren Takaoka Hospital, Takaoka, Japan
| | | | - Yuchi Motofuji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shinseikai Toyama Hospital, Imizu, Japan
| | - Kengo Kawai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanto Municipal Hospital, Nanto, Japan
| | - Nozomu Muraishi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Aiko Murayama
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yuka Hayashi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanto Municipal Hospital, Nanto, Japan
| | - Ichiro Yasuda
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Kudo M, Aoki T, Ueshima K, Tsuchiya K, Morita M, Chishina H, Takita M, Hagiwara S, Minami Y, Ida H, Nishida N, Ogawa C, Tomonari T, Nakamura N, Kuroda H, Takebe A, Takeyama Y, Hidaka M, Eguchi S, Chan SL, Kurosaki M, Izumi N. Achievement of Complete Response and Drug-Free Status by Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Combined with or without Curative Conversion in Patients with Transarterial Chemoembolization-Unsuitable, Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Proof-Of-Concept Study. Liver Cancer 2023; 12:321-338. [PMID: 37901197 PMCID: PMC10603621 DOI: 10.1159/000529574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy is extremely effective in the treatment of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with a response rate of 44%, as reported in the IMbrave150 trial. When tumor shrinkage is obtained, achieving complete response (CR) is possible in many cases using curative conversion with resection, ablation, or superselective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with curative intent. This concept, i.e., curative conversion by combining systemic therapy and locoregional therapy, has not been reported before. This multicenter proof-of-concept study was conducted to show the value of curative conversion in immunotherapy-treated intermediate-stage HCC meeting TACE-unsuitable criteria. Methods This study included 110 consecutive Child-Pugh A patients who received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment for unresectable and TACE-unsuitable intermediate-stage HCC at seven centers in Japan. CR rate, drug-free rate, time to CR, change in liver function, efficacy in positron emission tomography (PET)-positive HCC, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed in patients who achieved CR using resection, ablation, superselective TACE with curative intent following atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or atezolizumab plus bevacizumab alone. Results Clinical or pathological CR was achieved in 38 patients (35%) (median observation period: 21.2 months). The modalities of curative conversion in 35 patients were as follows: resection, 7; ablation, 13; and superselective TACE, 15. Three patients achieved clinical CR with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy alone. Among the 38 CR patients, 25 achieved drug-free status. PFS was not reached, and 3 patients experienced recurrence after reaching CR. Regarding OS, there were no deaths in any of the CR patients. The albumin-bilirubin score did not deteriorate after locoregional therapy or resection. Of seven PET-positive patients who achieved CR with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab followed by curative conversion, five achieved drug-free status. Conclusion The achievement of CR rate by curative conversion in patients treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as the preceding therapy for unresectable and TACE-unsuitable intermediate-stage HCC was 35%. Overall, 23% of patients achieved drug-free status and no recurrence was observed from this patient subgroup with CR and drug-free status. Thus, achieving CR and/or drug-free status should be a therapeutic goal for patients with intermediate-stage HCC without vascular invasion or extrahepatic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuomi Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaoru Tsuchiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Chishina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoru Hagiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasunori Minami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chikara Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Takamatsu Red Cross Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Tetsu Tomonari
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Hidekatsu Kuroda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takebe
- Department of Surgery, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Takeyama
- Department of Surgery, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaaki Hidaka
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Susumu Eguchi
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Stephen L Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Masayuki Kurosaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Namiki Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Kawamura Y, Akuta N, Shindoh J, Matsumura M, Okubo S, Tominaga L, Fujiyama S, Hosaka T, Saitoh S, Sezaki H, Suzuki F, Suzuki Y, Ikeda K, Arase Y, Hashimoto M, Kozuka T, Kumada H. Efficacy of the Combination of Systemic Sequential Therapy and Locoregional Therapy in the Long-Term Survival of Patients with BCLC Stage C Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3789. [PMID: 37568605 PMCID: PMC10417036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of a combination of systemic sequential therapy and locoregional therapy on the long-term survival of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Sixty-four consecutive patients with intrahepatic target nodules who had initially received systemic therapy (lenvatinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab) were reviewed. The clinical impact of the combined use of systemic sequential therapy and locoregional therapy was evaluated by determining overall survival (OS). The combined use of systemic sequential therapy with more than two agents and locoregional treatment was defined as multidisciplinary combination therapy (MCT), while only systemic sequential therapy and repeated locoregional-treatment was defined as a single treatment procedure (STP). RESULTS R0 resection, MCT, and STP resulted in significantly better OS compared with no additional treatment (median OS, not reached vs. 18.2 months and 12.6 vs. 8.1 months, respectively; p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the use of R0 resection and MCT were associated with better OS (hazard ratio [HR]; 0.053, p = 0.006 and 0.189, p < 0.001, respectively) compared with that for STP (HR; 0.279, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS MCT is may effective in patients with BCLC stage C HCC and intrahepatic target nodules who have previously received systemic therapy-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kawamura
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Norio Akuta
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Junichi Shindoh
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Masaru Matsumura
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Satoshi Okubo
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Licht Tominaga
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Radiation Oncology Division, Department of Radiology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Shunichiro Fujiyama
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Tetsuya Hosaka
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Satoshi Saitoh
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Hitomi Sezaki
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Fumitaka Suzuki
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Yoshiyuki Suzuki
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Kenji Ikeda
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Yasuji Arase
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Masaji Hashimoto
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Takuyo Kozuka
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
- Radiation Oncology Division, Department of Radiology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Kumada
- Department of Hepatology Toranomon Hospital 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (N.A.); (S.F.); (T.H.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (F.S.); (Y.S.); (K.I.); (Y.A.); (H.K.)
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan; (J.S.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (L.T.); (M.H.); (T.K.)
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8
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Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Therapeutic Algorithm for Localized and Advanced Disease. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3817724. [PMID: 36624801 PMCID: PMC9825221 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3817724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis of various etiologies. In recent years, there has been an advance in the knowledge of molecular mechanisms and a better staging definition of patients which has allowed the development of new therapies that have entered the therapeutic workup of these patients. Deep information on molecular drivers of HCC contributed to the development of targeted therapies with remarkable benefits. The novel strategies of targeting immune evasion using immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T and TCR-T therapeutics have also shown promising results. For advanced diseases, the therapeutic algorithm has been recently updated, thanks to the efficacy of combining immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy in the first-line setting, and new drugs, both as single-agents or combinations, are currently under investigation.
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9
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Yang C, Zhang H, Zhang L, Zhu AX, Bernards R, Qin W, Wang C. Evolving therapeutic landscape of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:203-222. [PMID: 36369487 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00704-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common solid malignancies worldwide. A large proportion of patients with HCC are diagnosed at advanced stages and are only amenable to systemic therapies. We have witnessed the evolution of systemic therapies from single-agent targeted therapy (sorafenib and lenvatinib) to the combination of a checkpoint inhibitor plus targeted therapy (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy). Despite remarkable advances, only a small subset of patients can obtain durable clinical benefit, and therefore substantial therapeutic challenges remain. In the past few years, emerging systemic therapies, including new molecular-targeted monotherapies (for example, donafenib), new immuno-oncology monotherapies (for example, durvalumab) and new combination therapies (for example, durvalumab plus tremelimumab), have shown encouraging results in clinical trials. In addition, many novel therapeutic approaches with the potential to offer improved treatment effects in patients with advanced HCC, such as sequential combination targeted therapy and next-generation adoptive cell therapy, have also been proposed and developed. In this Review, we summarize the latest clinical advances in the treatment of advanced HCC and discuss future perspectives that might inform the development of more effective therapeutics for advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Linmeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Andrew X Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA. .,Jiahui International Cancer Center, Jiahui Health, Shanghai, China.
| | - René Bernards
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Wenxin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Cun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Öcal O, Schütte K, Zech CJ, Loewe C, van Delden O, Vandecaveye V, Verslype C, Gebauer B, Sengel C, Bargellini I, Iezzi R, Philipp A, Berg T, Klümpen HJ, Benckert J, Pech M, Gasbarrini A, Amthauer H, Bartenstein P, Sangro B, Malfertheiner P, Ricke J, Seidensticker M. Addition of Y-90 radioembolization increases tumor response and local disease control in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving sorafenib. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:4716-4726. [PMID: 35916920 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05920-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received sorafenib treatment either alone or combined with radioembolization (RE). METHODS Follow-up images of the patients treated within a multicenter phase II trial (SORAMIC) were assessed by mRECIST. A total of 177 patients (73 combination arm [RE + sorafenib] and 104 sorafenib arm) were included in this post-hoc analysis. Response and progression characteristics were compared between treatment arms. Survival analyses were done to compare PFS and post-progression survival between treatment arms. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to compare survival with factors known to influence PFS in patients with HCC. RESULTS The combination arm had significantly higher objective response rate (61.6% vs. 29.8%, p < 0.001), complete response rate (13.7% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.022), and a trend for higher disease control rate (79.2% vs. 72.1%, p = 0.075). Progression was encountered in 116 (65.5%) patients and was more common in the sorafenib arm (75% vs. 52.0%, p = 0.001). PFS (median 8.9 vs. 5.4 months, p = 0.022) and hepatic PFS were significantly better in the combination arm (9.0 vs. 5.7 months, p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis confirmed the treatment arm as an independent predictor of PFS. CONCLUSION In advanced HCC patients receiving sorafenib, combination with RE has an additive anticancer effect on sorafenib treatment resulting in a higher and longer tumor response. However, the enhanced response did not translate into prolonged survival. Better patient selection and superselective treatment could improve outcomes after combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Öcal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schütte
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Niels-Stensen-Kliniken Marienhospital, Osnabrück, Germany.,Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Christoph J Zech
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Loewe
- Section of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Bioimaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Otto van Delden
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Chris Verslype
- Department of Digestive Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bernhard Gebauer
- Department of Radiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Sengel
- Radiology Department, Grenoble University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Irene Bargellini
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Iezzi
- UOC di Radiologia, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexander Philipp
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Gastroenterologie, Sektion Hepatologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heinz J Klümpen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julia Benckert
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maciej Pech
- Departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Holger Amthauer
- Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Jens Ricke
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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Yau T, Tai D, Chan SL, Huang YH, Choo SP, Hsu C, Cheung TT, Lin SM, Yong WP, Lee J, Leung T, Shum T, Yeung CS, Tai AYP, Law ALY, Cheng AL, Chen LT. Systemic Treatment of Advanced Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma after First-Line Therapy: Expert Recommendations from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Liver Cancer 2022; 11:426-439. [PMID: 36158587 PMCID: PMC9485972 DOI: 10.1159/000525582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asia has a high burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the high rates of chronic hepatitis B infection and accounts for 70% of HCC cases globally. In the past 20 years, the systemic treatment landscape of advanced HCC has evolved substantially - from tyrosine kinase inhibitors to immune-oncology agents plus anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. The appropriate sequence of therapies has become critical in optimizing patient outcomes given the increase in systemic therapeutic options. This article evaluates the evidence and provides expert recommendations for the use of systemic therapies after first-line treatment in patients with advanced HCC. SUMMARY Based on three virtual meetings held in early 2021, a team of 17 experts comprising oncologists, a hepatologist, and a hepatobiliary surgeon from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan reviewed available data about systemic treatments for HCC after first line and formulated 28 statements. These statements aimed to provide expert guidance on selecting first and subsequent lines of therapies as well as recommending therapies in special circumstances, such as poor liver function, posttransplantation, recent gastrointestinal bleeding, or autoimmune diseases. Data supporting the statements were drawn from clinical trials and real-world studies. The 28 statements were then evaluated anonymously using a 5-point Likert scale, and 24 reached consensus, predefined as achieving 75% agreement. Statements generated covered the selection of first-line systemic therapy, considerations and goals of second-line systemic therapies, treatment selection following first-line therapy, and treatment recommendations following first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune-oncology monotherapy, or immune-oncology combination therapy. The authors also shared expert opinion on the use of second-line systemic therapy in patients with liver dysfunction, liver transplantation, and recent gastrointestinal or autoimmune disease. KEY MESSAGES These expert statements summarize the latest data and expert opinion on selecting systemic treatment following first-line therapy in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Yau
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,*Thomas Yau,
| | - David Tai
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stephen Lam Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chiun Hsu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tan To Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shi-Ming Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkuo, Taiwan
| | - Wei Peng Yong
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joycelyn Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Leung
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tracy Shum
- Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Anna Yin-Ping Tai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Ann-Lii Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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12
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Sun HC, Zhou J, Wang Z, Liu X, Xie Q, Jia W, Zhao M, Bi X, Li G, Bai X, Ji Y, Xu L, Zhu XD, Bai D, Chen Y, Chen Y, Dai C, Guo R, Guo W, Hao C, Huang T, Huang Z, Li D, Li G, Li T, Li X, Li G, Liang X, Liu J, Liu F, Lu S, Lu Z, Lv W, Mao Y, Shao G, Shi Y, Song T, Tan G, Tang Y, Tao K, Wan C, Wang G, Wang L, Wang S, Wen T, Xing B, Xiang B, Yan S, Yang D, Yin G, Yin T, Yin Z, Yu Z, Zhang B, Zhang J, Zhang S, Zhang T, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang A, Zhao H, Zhou L, Zhang W, Zhu Z, Qin S, Shen F, Cai X, Teng G, Cai J, Chen M, Li Q, Liu L, Wang W, Liang T, Dong J, Chen X, Wang X, Zheng S, Fan J. Chinese expert consensus on conversion therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (2021 edition). Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2022; 11:227-252. [PMID: 35464283 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-21-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in systemic and locoregional treatments for patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have resulted in improved response rates. This has provided an opportunity for selected patients with initially unresectable HCC to achieve adequate tumor downstaging to undergo surgical resection, a 'conversion therapy' strategy. However, conversion therapy is a new approach to the treatment of HCC and its practice and treatment protocols are still being developed. Review the evidence for conversion therapy in HCC and develop consensus statements to guide clinical practice. Evidence review: Many research centers in China have accumulated significant experience implementing HCC conversion therapy. Preliminary findings and data have shown that conversion therapy represents an important strategy to maximize the survival of selected patients with intermediate stage to advanced HCC; however, there are still many urgent clinical and scientific challenges for this therapeutic strategy and its related fields. In order to summarize and learn from past experience and review current challenges, the Chinese Expert Consensus on Conversion Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2021 Edition) was developed based on a review of preliminary experience and clinical data from Chinese and non-Chinese studies in this field and combined with recommendations for clinical practice. Sixteen consensus statements on the implementation of conversion therapy for HCC were developed. The statements generated in this review are based on a review of clinical evidence and real clinical experience and will help guide future progress in conversion therapy for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chuan Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology of PLA Cancer Center, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Department of Infectious Disease, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Jia
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Bi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gong Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dousheng Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yajin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Splenic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Rongping Guo
- The Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunyi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Sarcoma Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiyong Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Department of Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of general surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Department of Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangming Li
- Center of General Surgery, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingfeng Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fubao Liu
- Division of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College Bengbu, China
| | - Weifu Lv
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Shao
- Department of Intervention, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yinghong Shi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianqiang Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Guang Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yunqiang Tang
- Department of Hepatic-Biliary Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chidan Wan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangyi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Liver Surgery Department, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shunxiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Tianfu Wen
- Department of Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Centre, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Baocai Xing
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Department I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bangde Xiang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Key Laboratory for High-Incidence Tumor Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Sheng Yan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dinghua Yang
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guowen Yin
- Department of Intervention, Cancer Hospital of Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Hepatic & Biliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Hubei Cancer Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenyu Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhengping Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ti Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yamin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yubao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Aibin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ledu Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wu Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhu
- Hepatoliliary Surgery Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Shukui Qin
- Qinhuai Medical Area, Eastern Theater General Hospital of PLA China, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiujun Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gaojun Teng
- Center of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianqiang Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Minshan Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Kawamura Y, Kobayashi M, Shindoh J, Matsumura M, Okubo S, Muraishi N, Fujiyama S, Hosaka T, Saitoh S, Sezaki H, Akuta N, Suzuki F, Suzuki Y, Ikeda K, Arase Y, Hashimoto M, Kumada H. Pretreatment Positron Emission Tomography with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose May Be a Useful New Predictor of early Progressive Disease Following Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Oncology 2022; 100:320-330. [PMID: 35231914 DOI: 10.1159/000523850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim of this study was to identify the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) as a predictor of early progressive disease (e-PD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev). METHODS Twenty consecutive patients with measurable intrahepatic target nodules who received Atezo/Bev treatment were reviewed. The oncological aggressiveness of tumors estimated by 18F-FDG-PET/CT was analyzed using the rate of e-PD within 12 weeks and early progression-free survival (e-PFS), and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis was used to identify potential confounders for PD during Atezo/Bev therapy. RESULTS Using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, a tumor-to-normal liver ratio (TLR) ≥2, indicating higher oncological aggressiveness in HCCs, was associated with lower objective response rates compared with TLR values <2 (18% vs. 38%, respectively). Moreover, TLR values ≥2 were significantly associated with higher e-PD rates compared with TLR values <2 (64% vs. 11%, respectively) and worse e-PFS (P=0.021). In multivariate analysis, TLR ≥2 showed marginal significance as a predictor of e-PD (P=0.053), and utility as a predictor for worse e-PFS (hazard ratio, 7.153; 95% confidence interval, 1.258-40.689; P=0.027). In contrast, no significant differences in OS with/without e-PD were observed during the treatment course. In this study, 8 patients experienced e-PD and almost 40% of patients experienced acceptable disease control following subsequent lenvatinib treatment. CONCLUSION Pretreatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT may be a useful new predictor of e-PD and may enable early decision-making based on early treatment changes following Atezo/Bev treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kawamura
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kobayashi
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Shindoh
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Hepatobiliary-pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Matsumura
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Hepatobiliary-pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Okubo
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Hepatobiliary-pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nozomu Muraishi
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunichiro Fujiyama
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hosaka
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Saitoh
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitomi Sezaki
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Akuta
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Suzuki
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suzuki
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Ikeda
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuji Arase
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaji Hashimoto
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Hepatobiliary-pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Kumada
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Decraecker M, Toulouse C, Blanc JF. Is There Still a Place for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma at the Time of Immunotherapies? A Focus on Lenvatinib. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6310. [PMID: 34944930 PMCID: PMC8699782 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is changing rapidly. Three main classes of treatment are now available. Historically, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (sorafenib and lenvatinib as first-line; regorafenib and cabozantinib as second-line) were the first to show an improvement in overall survival (OS). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibodies can be used in first-line (bevacizumab) or second-line (ramucirumab) combination therapy. More recently, immuno-oncology (IO) has profoundly changed therapeutic algorithms, and the combination of atezolizumab-bevacizumab is now the first-line standard of care. Therefore, the place of TKIs needs to be redefined. The objective of this review was to define the place of TKIs in the therapeutic algorithm at the time of IO treatment in first-line therapy, with a special focus on lenvatinib that exhibits one of the higher anti-tumoral activity among TKI in HCC. We will discuss the place of lenvatinib in first line (especially if there is a contra-indication to IO) but also after failure of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. New opportunities for lenvatinib will also be presented, including the use at an earlier stage of the disease and combination with IOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Decraecker
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Haut Leveque-CHU Bordeaux, Avenue Magellan, 33604 Pessac, France; (C.T.); (J.-F.B.)
| | - Caroline Toulouse
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Haut Leveque-CHU Bordeaux, Avenue Magellan, 33604 Pessac, France; (C.T.); (J.-F.B.)
| | - Jean-Frédéric Blanc
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Haut Leveque-CHU Bordeaux, Avenue Magellan, 33604 Pessac, France; (C.T.); (J.-F.B.)
- INSERM U1053, BaRITOn, University Victor Segalen, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
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15
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Rizzo A, Ricci AD, Brandi G. Bayesian Analysis Supports Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2021; 11:180-181. [PMID: 35634432 PMCID: PMC9109071 DOI: 10.1159/000520481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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16
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Kudo M. Changing the Treatment Paradigm for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5475. [PMID: 34771637 PMCID: PMC8582435 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy was approved worldwide for use in 2020. A 30% objective response rate with 8% complete response (CR) was achieved in a phase 3 IMbrave150 trial. Here, the change in the treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy is reviewed. The phase 3 IMbrave150 clinical trial was successful because of the direct antitumor effect of bevacizumab, which shifted the suppressive immune microenvironment to a responsive immune microenvironment, in addition to its synergistic effects when combined with atezolizumab. The analysis of CR cases was effective in patients with poor conditions, particularly tumor invasion in the main portal trunk (Vp4), making the combination therapy a breakthrough for HCC treatment. The response rate of the combination therapy was 44% against intermediate-stage HCC. Such a strong tumor-reduction effect paves the way for curative conversion (ABC conversion) therapy and, therefore, treatment strategies for intermediate-stage HCC may undergo a significant shift in the future. As these treatment strategies are effective in maintaining liver function, even in elderly patients, the transition frequency to second-line treatments could also be improved. These strategies may be effective against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma and WNT/β-catenin mutations to a certain degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka 589-8511, Japan
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17
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Yano S, Kawaoka T, Johira Y, Miura R, Kosaka M, Shirane Y, Murakami S, Amioka K, Naruto K, Ando Y, Kosaka Y, Yamaoka K, Kodama K, Uchikawa S, Fujino H, Ohno A, Nakahara T, Murakami E, Okamoto W, Yamauchi M, Imamura M, Mori K, Arihiro K, Kuroda S, Kobayashi T, Ohdan H, Aikata H. Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with response to lenvatinib after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27576. [PMID: 34678902 PMCID: PMC8542139 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Various treatments are available for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The immune checkpoint inhibitor combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was recently approved for the treatment of unresectable HCC, but there are few reports on the failure of the combination treatment. Here, we present a case of unresectable HCC with adrenal metastasis that was eventually operated on after lenvatinib (LEN) treatment that followed failed treatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. PATIENT CONCERNS A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-based HCC with adrenal metastasis. DIAGNOSIS Cirrhosis was classified as Child-Pugh score of 5. HCC was diagnosed as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C. INTERVENTIONS We initiated treatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. Liver dysfunction appeared 2 days after the first administration but was improved by intravenous rehydration and did not appear after the second course. The HCC shrank, but the adrenal metastasis grew bigger after the fourth course, so we changed the therapy to LEN. After HCC and adrenal metastasis were necrotic by LEN, conversion surgery was performed. OUTCOMES After successful conversion therapy, the general condition of the patient was good, and has been carefully followed for 4 months to date without any evidence of further recurrences. LESSONS This case showed that even if atezolizumab plus bevacizumab is not effective, multidisciplinary treatment such as LEN and conversion surgery is possible. Given the efficacy of LEN after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, it is important to consider that there is a possibility of cure even when first-line treatment is not effective for a patient with unresectable HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Yano
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kawaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Yusuke Johira
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Miura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Masanari Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Yuki Shirane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Serami Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Kei Amioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Kensuke Naruto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Yuwa Ando
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Yumi Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Kenji Yamaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Uchikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Hatsue Fujino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ohno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Eisuke Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Wataru Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Masami Yamauchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Michio Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Keiichi Mori
- Anatomical Pathology, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | | | - Shintaro Kuroda
- Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | | | - Hideki Ohdan
- Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Japan
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18
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Lenvatinib with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real-world clinical practice. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:1063-1074. [PMID: 34559308 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03060-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lenvatinib is regarded as the first-line therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with unresectable HCC. METHODS In this multicentric retrospective study, patients with unresectable HCC who treated with lenvatinib with or without ICIs would be enrolled. Overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and disease control rate were calculated to assess the antitumor response. RESULTS Between January 2019 and August 2020, 65 patients received lenvatinib plus ICIs while other 45 patients received lenvatinib. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Lenvatinib plus ICIs provided significantly higher overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.85; p = 0.013) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.35, 95% CI 0.20-0.63; p < 0.001) than lenvatinib monotherapy. Moreover, patients with lenvatinib plus ICIs had significantly higher objective response rate (41.5% vs 20.0%, p = 0.023) and disease control rate (72.3% vs 46.7%, p = 0.009) per RECIST v1.1 than those with lenvatinib. No treatment-related deaths were observed. Grade 3 or greater adverse events occurring in 10% or more of patients in either treatment group were hypertension [13 (20.0%) of 65 patients treated with lenvatinib plus ICIs vs 8 (17.8%) of 45 patients treated with lenvatinib], and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia [seven (10.8%) vs two (4.4%)]. CONCLUSIONS In this real-world study, lenvatinib combined with ICIs showed significantly promising efficacy and manageable safety than lenvatinib alone in patients with unresectable HCC.
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19
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Busche S, John K, Wandrer F, Vondran FWR, Lehmann U, Wedemeyer H, Essmann F, Schulze-Osthoff K, Bantel H. BH3-only protein expression determines hepatocellular carcinoma response to sorafenib-based treatment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:736. [PMID: 34312366 PMCID: PMC8313681 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a global health challenge with limited therapeutic options. Anti-angiogenic immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapy has been introduced for progressed HCC, but improves survival only in a subset of HCC patients. Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as sorafenib represent an alternative treatment option but have only modest efficacy. Using different HCC cell lines and HCC tissues from various patients reflecting HCC heterogeneity, we investigated whether the sorafenib response could be enhanced by combination with pro-apoptotic agents, such as TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or the BH3-mimetic ABT-737, which target the death receptor and mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, respectively. We found that both agents could enhance sorafenib-induced cell death which was, however, dependent on specific BH3-only proteins. TRAIL augmented sorafenib-induced cell death only in NOXA-expressing HCC cells, whereas ABT-737 enhanced the sorafenib response also in NOXA-deficient cells. ABT-737, however, failed to augment sorafenib cytotoxicity in the absence of BIM, even when NOXA was strongly expressed. In the presence of NOXA, BIM-deficient HCC cells could be in turn strongly sensitized for cell death induction by the combination of sorafenib with TRAIL. Accordingly, HCC tissues sensitive to apoptosis induction by sorafenib and TRAIL revealed enhanced NOXA expression compared to HCC tissues resistant to this treatment combination. Thus, our results suggest that BH3-only protein expression determines the treatment response of HCC to different sorafenib-based drug combinations. Individual profiling of BH3-only protein expression might therefore assist patient stratification to certain TKI-based HCC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Busche
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina John
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Wandrer
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W. R. Vondran
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.452463.2German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lehmann
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Essmann
- grid.502798.10000 0004 0561 903XDr. Margarete-Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Klaus Schulze-Osthoff
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Heike Bantel
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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20
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Liang KH, Lai MW, Lin YH, Chu YD, Lin CL, Lin WR, Huang YH, Wang TH, Chien RN, Hu TH, Yeh CT. Plasma interleukin-17 and alpha-fetoprotein combination effectively predicts imminent hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in liver cirrhotic patients. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:177. [PMID: 33865328 PMCID: PMC8052794 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01761-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Predicting imminent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhotic patients is an unmet medical need. We aimed to investigate circulatory biomarkers and their optimum combinations in a prospective study.
Methods We investigated plasma interleukin 17 (IL-17) concentrations, quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the prediction of HCC in a large cohort of 404 HCC-naïve liver cirrhotic patients regularly followed after recruitment. Additionally, IL-17 in surgically resected tumor tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry staining.
Results IL-17 was detected in HCC tissues. The IL-17 concentrations in the peripheral blood do not have correlation with an extensive list of 31 common demographic, metabolic and liver function variables in the cohort of liver cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, patients stratified by IL-17 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) showed distinctive cumulative incidence of HCC. Imminent HCC, defined here as HCC occurrence within 1 year, can be predicted by IL-17 alone with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] of 0.762 (P = 0.002). An multivariate analysis showed that age, hepatitis C viral infection, AFP and IL-17 were four independent factors associated with imminent HCC (adjusted P = 0.03, 0.041, 0.024 and 0.008 respectively). An explicit risk score (R) combining the concentrations of two plasma biomarkers, AFP and IL-17, achieved a high AUC of 0.933 (95% confidence interval 0.893–0.972, P < 0.001) in predicting imminent HCC, with 100% sensitivity and 79.9% specificity at the optimum cutoff. The score is defined as: \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$${\text{R}} = (2.6914)*{\text{IL-17}} + (0.3909)*{\text{AFP}} - (0.80812875)*{\text{IL-17}}^{2} + (0.10288876884)*{\text{IL-17}}^{2} *{\text{AFP}}.$$\end{document}R=(2.6914)∗IL-17+(0.3909)∗AFP-(0.80812875)∗IL-172+(0.10288876884)∗IL-172∗AFP. Conclusions The circulatory IL-17 concentration is a predictor of subsequent HCC occurrence in liver cirrhotic patients. The combination of AFP and IL-17 is highly effective in predicting imminent HCC within 1 year. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01761-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kung-Hao Liang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Hsiang Lin
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Yu-De Chu
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lang Lin
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 222, Maijin Road, Keelung, Taiwan.,Community Medicine Research Center, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Wey-Ran Lin
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Huang
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Tong-Hung Wang
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Tissue Bank, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 222, Maijin Road, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. .,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. .,Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5, Fu-Shin street, Kuei-Shan District, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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