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Dong H, Zhang Z, Ni M, Xu X, Luo Y, Wang Y, Zhang H, Chen J. The Trend of the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Combination of Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2024; 25:1239-1256. [PMID: 39259476 PMCID: PMC11485193 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-024-01246-9] [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] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of tumor worldwide. The development of systemic treatment of advanced HCC has remained stagnant for a considerable period. During the last years, a series of new treatment regimens based on the combination of immunotherapeutic drugs and targeted drugs have been gradually developed, increased the objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression free survival (PFS) of HCC patients. Among the different combination therapy groups, atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and sintilimab plus IBI-305 seem to have unique advantages, while head-to-head comparisons are still needed. A comprehensive understanding of the developments, the ongoing clinical trials and the mechanisms of combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy might lead to the development of new combination strategies and solving current challenges such as the molecular biomarkers, the clinical administration order of drugs and the second-line treatments after combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Dong
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengguo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengjie Ni
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Xu
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Luo
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaru Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxiang Chen
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Hepatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.
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Tsuruoka M, Ninomiya M, Inoue J, Iwata T, Sano A, Sato K, Onuki M, Sawahashi S, Masamune A. Changes in Mutations of Cell-Free DNA and Liver Tumor Tissue in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma before and after Introduction of Lenvatinib. Oncology 2024:1-12. [PMID: 39047713 DOI: 10.1159/000540438] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is expected to contribute to the decision for treatment and prediction of effects with minimally invasion. We investigated the correlation between gene mutations before and after lenvatinib (LEN) treatment and its effectiveness, in order to find advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who would benefit greatly from the therapy. METHODS We analyzed cfDNA before and 6-8 weeks after the start of treatment in 20 advanced HCC patients who started LEN. A next-generation sequencer was used for CTNNB1 and TP53. Concerning TERT promoter, -124C>T and -146C>T mutations are researched using digital PCR. In addition, we examined liver tumor biopsy tissues by the same method. Computerized tomography evaluation was performed at 6-8 weeks and 3-4 months to assess the efficacy. RESULTS Frequencies of TERT promoter, CTNNB1, and TP53 mutations in pretreatment cfDNA were 45%, 65%, and 65%, but 53%, 41%, and 47% in HCC tissues, respectively. There were no clear correlations between these gene mutations and the disease-suppressing effect or progression-free survival. Overall, there were many cases showing a decrease in mutations after LEN treatment. Integrating the reduction of CTNNB1 and TP53 genetic mutations increased the potential for disease suppression. CONCLUSION This study suggests that analysis of cfDNA in advanced HCC patients may be useful for identifying LEN responders and determining therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, it has potential for selecting responders for other molecular-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mio Tsuruoka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan,
| | - Masashi Ninomiya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Jun Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Iwata
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Sano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kosuke Sato
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masazumi Onuki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Satoko Sawahashi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Wei M, Wang X, Mo Y, Kong C, Zhang M, Qiu G, Tang Z, Chen J, Wu F. Combined Effects of Anti-PD-L1 and Nanosonodynamic Therapy on HCC Immune Activation in Mice: An Investigation. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:7215-7236. [PMID: 39050875 PMCID: PMC11268760 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s427144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Current therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), exhibit limited efficacy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nanoparticles, particularly those that can accumulate specifically within tumors and be activated by sonodynamic therapy (SDT), can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD); however, ICD alone has not achieved satisfactory therapeutic effectiveness. This study investigates whether combining ICB with ICD induced by nanoparticle-mediated SDT could enhance anti-tumor immunity and inhibit HCC growth. Methods We developed an iron-based micelle nanodelivery system encapsulating the Near-Infrared Dye IR-780, which was surface-modified with a cyclic tripeptide composed of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD). This led to the synthesis of targeted IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were specifically engineered to kill tumor cells under sonication, activate immunogenic cell death (ICD), and be used in conjunction with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results The synthesized IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles had an average diameter of 28.23±1.750 nm and a Zeta potential of -23.95±1.926. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that IR780@FOM-cRGD could target HCC cells while minimizing toxicity to healthy cells. Upon sonodynamic activation, these nanoparticles consumed significant amounts of oxygen and generated substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively killing tumor cells and inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and migration of H22 cells. Hemolysis assays confirmed the in vivo safety of the nanoparticles, and in vivo fluorescence imaging revealed significant accumulation in tumor tissues. Mouse model experiments showed that combining ICB(which induced by Anti-PD-L1) with ICD (which induced by IR780@FOM-cRGD), could effectively activated anti-tumor immunity and suppressed tumor growth. Discussion This study highlights the potential of IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles to facilitate tumor eradication and immune activation when used in conjunction with Anti-PD-L1 therapy. This combination represents a non-invasive, efficient, and targeted approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By integrating sonodynamic therapy with immunotherapy, this strategy promises to substantially improve the effectiveness of traditional treatments in combating HCC, offering new avenues for clinical application and therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wei
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunhai Mo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cunqing Kong
- Medical Imaging Center, Affiliated Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, 442000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanhua Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Tang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feixiang Wu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
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Kimura M, Yamada S, Go M, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Usami E. Safety evaluation of lenvatinib treatment after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy for patients with unresectable liver cancer: A comparison of lenvatinib as 1st‑ or 2nd‑line treatment. Oncol Lett 2024; 28:330. [PMID: 38807665 PMCID: PMC11130744 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14464] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/BV) as first-line therapy and lenvatinib (LEN) as second-line therapy are the recommended treatments for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Adverse immune events caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as Atez) generally only occur several months after administration; therefore, the potential influence of the first-line treatment on second-line treatment is not clear. The present study investigated the safety of second-line LEN treatment (2nd LEN) by comparing the adverse events (AEs) of 2nd LEN after first-line Atez/BV treatment for unresectable liver cancer, with those of first-line LEN treatment (1st LEN). Patients who received Atez/BV as first-line therapy and 2nd LEN, or those who received 1st LEN at Ogaki Municipal Hospital (Ogaki, Japan) between April 2018 and September 2023 were retrospectively evaluated for treatment duration and AEs. The median treatment duration for patients in the 1st LEN (n=39) and 2nd LEN (n=13) groups was 151.0 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 77-303 days] and 128.5 days (95% CI 68-270 days), respectively (P=0.385). A greater proportion of patients showed elevated aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase levels in the 2nd LEN group (76.9%) compared with those in the 1st LEN group (46.2%) (P=0.016). Hypothyroidism was more common in those receiving 2nd LEN (46.2%) than 1st LEN (12.8%) (P=0.016). In addition, grade 1 (three patients) and grade 2 (three patients) hypothyroidism was observed in patients receiving 2nd LEN. For these six patients, during first-line Atez/BV treatment, four patients had grade 0 hypothyroidism and two patients had grade 1 hypothyroidism (P=0.025). In conclusion, patients receiving 2nd LEN after treatment with Atez/BV are at an increased risk of hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michio Kimura
- Department of Pharmacy, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
| | - Shiori Yamada
- Department of Pharmacy, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
| | - Makiko Go
- Department of Pharmacy, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
| | - Eiseki Usami
- Department of Pharmacy, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8502, Japan
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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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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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Takei S, Yoshimura A, Yamamoto C, Kataoka S, Kataoka N, Morimoto K, Iwasaku M, Tokuda S, Yamada T, Takeda T, Takayama K. Endobronchial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib: A case report. Respirol Case Rep 2023; 11:e01208. [PMID: 37614813 PMCID: PMC10442773 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Endobronchial metastasis (EBM) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare though HCC often metastasizes to the lungs. In this case report, a 74-year-old man with a history of HCC with chronic hepatitis C experienced hemoptysis and a dry cough. During immunotherapy for postoperative recurrent HCC, chest computed tomography (CT) revealed soft tissue shadows in the right upper and lower lobe bronchi, and we pathologically diagnosed as EBM of HCC using bronchoscopy. Although the prognosis of HCC with EBM is poor, lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered and resulted in improved symptoms, decreased tumour markers, and reduced EBM shadows on chest CT scans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of lenvatinib monotherapy for EBM of HCC. It is important to perform a bronchoscopy for early diagnosis of EBM, followed by lenvatinib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Takei
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Department of Respiratory MedicineJapanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini HospitalKyotoJapan
| | - Akihiro Yoshimura
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Department of Respiratory MedicineJapanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini HospitalKyotoJapan
| | - Chie Yamamoto
- Department of Infectious DiseaseKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Seita Kataoka
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and HepatologyKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Nobutaka Kataoka
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Department of Respiratory MedicineJapanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini HospitalKyotoJapan
| | - Kenji Morimoto
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Masahiro Iwasaku
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Shinsaku Tokuda
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Tadaaki Yamada
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Takayuki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory MedicineJapanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini HospitalKyotoJapan
| | - Koichi Takayama
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
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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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10
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Hiraoka A, Kumada T, Tada T, Hirooka M, Kariyama K, Tani J, Atsukawa M, Takaguchi K, Itobayashi E, Fukunishi S, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Tajiri K, Ochi H, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Ogawa C, Nishimura T, Hatanaka T, Kakizaki S, Shimada N, Kawata K, Naganuma A, Kosaka H, Matono T, Kuroda H, Yata Y, Ohama H, Tada F, Nouso K, Morishita A, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Itokawa N, Okubo T, Arai T, Yokohama K, Imai M, Koizumi Y, Nakamura S, Iijima H, Kaibori M, Hiasa Y. Lenvatinib as Second-Line Treatment after Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Results Show Importance of Hepatic Reserve Function. Oncology 2023; 101:624-633. [PMID: 37307798 DOI: 10.1159/000531316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lack of an established methodology for post-progression systemic treatment following atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) administration is an important clinical issue. The present study aimed to elucidate the potential of lenvatinib as a second-line treatment option after Atez/Bev failure. METHODS From 2020 to 2022, 101 patients who received lenvatinib as second-line treatment were enrolled (median 72 years, males 77, Child-Pugh A 82, BCLC-A:B:C:D = 1:35:61:4), while 29 treated with another molecular targeting agent (MTA) during the period as second-line treatment were enrolled as controls. The therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib given as second-line treatment was retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Median progression-free survival/median overall survival for all patients was 4.4/15.7 months and for those with Child-Pugh A was 4.7 months/not-reached. When prognosis was compared with patients who received another MTA, there was no significant difference for PFS (3.5 months, p = 0.557) or OS (13.6 months, p = 0.992), and also no significant differences regarding clinical background factors. mRECIST findings showed that objective response and disease control rates in patients treated with lenvatinib were 23.9% and 70.4%, respectively (CR:PR:SD:PD = 3:14:33:21), while those shown by RECIST, ver. 1.1, were 15.4% and 66.2%, respectively (CR:PR:SD:PD = 1:10:36:24). Adverse events (any grade ≥10%) were appetite loss (26.7%) (grade 1:2:3 = 2:15:10), general fatigue (21.8%) (grade 1:2:3 = 3:13:6), protein in urine (16.8%) (grade 1:2:3 = 0:4:13), and hypertension (13.9%) (grade 1:2:3 = 1:8:5). CONCLUSION Although lenvatinib treatment might not provide a pseudo-combination immunotherapy effect following Atez/Bev failure, lenvatinib when used as second-line treatment after Atez/Bev failure might be expected to be comparable as compared to its use as first-line treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Takashi Kumada
- Department of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kariyama
- Department of Hepatology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukunishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Tsuji
- Center of Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toru Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuto Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hironori Ochi
- Hepato-biliary Center, Japanese Red Cross Matsuyama Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Chikara Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Takamatsu Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Takashi Nishimura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hatanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Satoru Kakizaki
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Noritomo Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kosaka
- Department of Surgery, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | | | - Hidekatsu Kuroda
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, School of Medicine, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hanwa Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideko Ohama
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Fujimasa Tada
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nouso
- Department of Hepatology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Asahiro Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Akemi Tsutsui
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Takuya Nagano
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Norio Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeang Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yokohama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michitaka Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yohei Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakamura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - Hiroko Iijima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Masaki Kaibori
- Department of Surgery, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
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11
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Hatanaka T, Yata Y, Naganuma A, Kakizaki S. Treatment Strategy for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Transarterial Chemoembolization, Systemic Therapy, and Conversion Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1798. [PMID: 36980684 PMCID: PMC10046825 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, all intermediate-stage HCC patients did not benefit from TACE treatment because intermediate-stage HCC encompasses a wide variety of HCCs. Owing to remarkable progress in systemic therapy, including molecular-targeted therapy for advanced-stage HCC, the standard treatment of HCC has recently shifted to systemic therapy. However, it remains controversial as to which treatment should be initially performed for intermediate-stage HCC. In addition, although curative treatment can be considered when the tumor shrinks, the timing of conversion therapy remains uncertain. This review summarizes the advances of HCC treatment and discusses treatment strategies for intermediate-stage HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Hatanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital, Maebashi 371-0821, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hanwa Memorial Hospital, Osaka 558-0041, Japan
| | - Atsushi Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki 370-0829, Japan
| | - Satoru Kakizaki
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki 370-0829, Japan
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12
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Tomonari T, Tanaka H, Tanaka T, Taniguchi T, Sogabe M, Kawano Y, Okamoto K, Miyamoto H, Sato Y, Takayama T. A case of complete response with rechallenge-lenvatinib plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to multiple molecular-targeted agent treatments. Clin J Gastroenterol 2023; 16:438-443. [PMID: 36856957 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-023-01777-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of lenvatinib (LEN) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (LEN-TACE) has been reported, but its effect on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to LEN therapy has not been demonstrated. We report a case of HCC refractory to multiple molecular-targeted agents (MTA) treatments, including LEN, that was successfully treated with LEN-TACE. A 59-year-old man was referred to our department with multiple HCCs and a background of hepatitis B virus infection. TACE was the initial treatment. However, he was determined to be TACE-refractory, and multitargeted therapy was initiated. LEN was started at 12 mg/day but resulted in progressive disease (PD) after 13 months of the administration. The response to second-line sorafenib was PD after 2 months. Third-line therapy with atezolizumab + bevacizumab was stopped after one course because of an immune-related adverse event (i.e., dermatitis). The response to fourth-line regorafenib was PD at 2 months, and the response to fifth-line cabozantinib was PD after 6 months. The efficacy of LEN-TACE was recently reported; therefore, we decided to attempt LEN-TACE therapy as a salvage line. After obtaining the patient's consent to repeat LEN and TACE, treatment was initiated. The tumor markers levels markedly reduced after LEN-TACE therapy. After three additional TACE treatments with continued LEN administration, the tumor marker levels normalized, and complete response was determined based on RECIST guidelines. LEN-TACE therapy may effectively treat unresectable advanced HCC in the LEN-rechallenge setting and may be a treatment option as a last-line therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Tomonari
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hironori Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Taniguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sogabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawano
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yasushi Sato
- Department of Community Medicine for Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2-50-1, Kuramoto, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770042, Japan.
| | - Tetsuji Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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13
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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: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [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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14
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Kosaka Y, Kawaoka T, Kosaka M, Shirane Y, Miura R, Murakami S, Johira Y, Yano S, Amioka K, Naruto K, Ando Y, Kodama K, Uchikawa S, Fujino H, Ohno A, Nakahara T, Murakami E, Okamoto W, Yamauchi M, Imamura M, Aikata H. A Case of Successful Lenvatinib Re-challenge following Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy Failure for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Intern Med 2022. [PMID: 36328580 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9581-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To our knowledge, there have been no reports of first-line lenvatinib (LEN) and LEN re-challenge following atezolizumab/bevacizumab (Atezo-Bev) failure in the same patient. We herein report a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who failed either 1st line LEN and 2nd line Atezo-Bev, and successfully achieved complete response to LEN rechallenge with sequencial TACE. This patient had a poor response to TACE before immunotherapy and introduction of molecular-targeted drugs but showed a good response to selective TACE after LEN rechallenge. Our findings suggest the need to reconsider the use of molecular-targeted drugs and TACE with advances in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kawaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Masanari Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yuki Shirane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Miura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Serami Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yusuke Johira
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yano
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kei Amioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kensuke Naruto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yuwa Ando
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Uchikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Hatsue Fujino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ohno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Eisuke Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Wataru Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Masami Yamauchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Michio Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
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15
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Bei H, Mai W, Chen W, Li M, Yang Y. Application of systemic treatment in conversion therapy options for liver cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:966821. [PMID: 36276063 PMCID: PMC9583895 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.966821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radical hepatectomy is the main treatment method to improve the prognosis of patients with intermediate and early-stage liver cancer. Most liver cancer patients in China are in the advanced stage at the initial diagnosis, losing the opportunity for surgical treatment. Therefore, it is essential to down-stage unresectable liver cancer to resectable liver cancer clinically, which is an important way to improve patients’ survival and a hotspot of current clinical research. In recent years, with the increase in effective treatment methods for liver cancer, the resection rate of conversion surgery for unresectable advanced liver cancer has been significantly improved, and a growing number of patients benefit from conversion therapy. This article mainly reviews the connotation of conversion therapy for liver cancer, the patient selection, the selection of conversion strategy, the timing of sequential operations, the scheme and safety, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mingyi Li
- *Correspondence: Mingyi Li, ; Yongguang Yang,
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16
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Sun L, Xu X, Meng F, Liu Q, Wang H, Li X, Li G, Chen F. Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:980214. [PMID: 36249023 PMCID: PMC9555078 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.980214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)have become the first choice for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are unsuitable for TACE. Sorafenib plus TACE therapy for patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) achieved positive results. However, Lenvatinib plus TACE appeared to achieve a more advantageous result for these patients based on the phase 3 REFLECT trial. Both TACE and lenvatinib therapy have immune-stimulating effects, so would lenvatinib plus TACE and immune checkpoint inhibitors be an advantageous therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC)? Thirteen articles from PubMed were explored to determine the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus TACE with or without PD-1 inhibitors therapy. Most of the adverse events (AEs) were manageable. Lenvatinib plus TACE therapy was superior to lenvatinib monotherapy with intermediate stage HCC especially beyond up-to-seven criterion and was superior to TACE monotherapy in patients with uHCC or sorafenib plus TACE therapy in patients with PVTT. Objective response rates (ORRs) of 53.1%–75%, median progression free survival (PFS) of 6.15–11.6 months, and median overall survival (OS) of 14.5–18.97 months were achieved in the lenvatinib plus TACE group. Levatinib plus TACE and PD-1 inhibitors achieved ORRs of 46.7% –80.6%, median PFS of 7.3–13.3 months, and median OS of 16.9–24 months. Control studies also confirmed the triple therapy was superior to lenvatinib plus TACE in patients with uHCC. Overall, the triple therapy is a promising treatment for patients with uHCC, including main PVTT and extrahepatic metastasis. Lenvatinib plus TACE therapy was also preferable for intermediate stage HCC beyond up-to-seven criterion and for patients with PVTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Sun
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- Graduate school, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xuelong Xu
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Fanguang Meng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- Graduate school, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hankang Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- Graduate school, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- Graduate school, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Guijie Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Chen, ; Guijie Li,
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Abdominal Medicine Imaging, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Chen, ; Guijie Li,
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17
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Analysis of the Relationship between Scleritis and T Cell Activation in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with PD-1 Carrelizumab. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:4853481. [PMID: 36118947 PMCID: PMC9467714 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4853481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to explore the function of inhibiting the immune effect, the relationship between programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) carrelizumab in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma-induced scleritis and T cell activation is investigated. A total of 120 patients with primary liver cancer treated in the department of oncology of our hospital from July 2020 to January 2022 are selected and treated with carrelizumab. According to the occurrence of PD-1 carrelizumab treatment, the patients are divided into the scleritis group and nonscleritis group. The levels of T cells, PD-1, PD-L1 proteins, and serum inflammatory factors at different time points are compared. The experimental results show that the occurrence of scleritis after liver cancer treatment with PD-1 carrelizumab is closely associated with Treg cells, the percentage of Th17 cells, the expression of PD-1, PD-L1 proteins, and inflammatory factors. It is clearly evident that PD-1 carrelizumab can increase the risk of scleritis by affecting T cell activation.
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18
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Tomonari T, Tani J, Sato Y, Tanaka H, Tanaka T, Taniguchi T, Asahiro M, Okamoto K, Sogabe M, Miyamoto H, Muguruma N, Masaki T, Takayama T. Initial therapeutic results of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and the importance of hepatic functional reserve. Cancer Med 2022; 12:2646-2657. [PMID: 35964253 PMCID: PMC9939118 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We analyzed the association between the modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade and therapeutic efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo+Bev) for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). METHODS In this retrospective observational study, we included 71 u-HCC patients treated with Atezo+Bev between September 2020 and September 2021. Patients were grouped corresponding to the mALBI grade at the start of treatment (mALBI 1+2a or mALBI 2b+3) and analyzed for therapeutic effect and the transition rate to secondary treatment. RESULTS According to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, the overall response rate was significantly higher for the mALBI 1+2a group, than for the mALBI 2b+3 group, with 26.2% and 3.4%, respectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the mALBI 1+2a group (10.5 months) than in the mALBI 2b+3 group (3.0 months). In the multivariate analysis, an mALBI of 1+2a was found to be an independent factor of PFS. The rate of second-line treatment with multi-targeted agents was also significantly higher in the mALBI 1+2a group. CONCLUSIONS In real-world practice, Atezo+Bev treatment might have higher therapeutic efficacy in u-HCC patients with mALBI 1+2a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Tomonari
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and NeurologyKagawa University Graduate School of MedicineKagawaJapan
| | - Yasushi Sato
- Department of Community Medicine for Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Hironori Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Takahiro Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Tatsuya Taniguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Morishita Asahiro
- Department of Gastroenterology and NeurologyKagawa University Graduate School of MedicineKagawaJapan
| | - Koichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Masahiro Sogabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Naoki Muguruma
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
| | - Tsutomu Masaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and NeurologyKagawa University Graduate School of MedicineKagawaJapan
| | - Tetsuji Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and OncologyTokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTokushimaJapan
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Ogasawara S, Koroki K, Kanzaki H, Kobayashi K, Kiyono S, Nakamura M, Kanogawa N, Saito T, Kondo T, Nakagawa R, Nakamoto S, Muroyama R, Chiba T, Kato N. Changes in therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia. Liver Int 2022; 42:2055-2066. [PMID: 34780081 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is expected to increase, with most cases occurring in Asia. In some parts of Asia, the occurrence of HCC developing from metabolic-related liver disease has markedly increased in recent years, whereas the occurrence of HCC developing from viral-hepatitis-related liver disease has decreased. Advancements in the treatment of HCC over the past few decades has been remarkable, with most treatment strategies to remove or control liver tumours (hepatic resection, local ablation, radiation therapy, transarterial chemoembolisation, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy) primarily developing in Asia. In addition, recent progress in systemic therapies has prolonged the prognosis of advanced HCC. Nowadays, six regimens of systemic therapies have become available in most countries, according to phase III trials (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib and ramucirumab). In a global randomised phase III trial (IMbrave 150 trial), the most effective of the latest drug designs was newly emerged combination immunotherapy (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab), which has shown significantly prolonged overall survival compared with sorafenib, which was the first-line systemic therapy for more than a decade. Now, the treatment dynamics for HCC are undergoing a major transition as a result of two important changes: the replacement of viral-related HCC by metabolic-related HCC and the emergence of combination immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadahisa Ogasawara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Translational Research and Development Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kiyono
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kanogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomoko Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Muroyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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20
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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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21
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Hiraoka A, Kumada T, Tada T, Hirooka M, Kariyama K, Tani J, Atsukawa M, Takaguchi K, Itobayashi E, Fukunishi S, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Tajiri K, Ochi H, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Ogawa C, Nishimura T, Hatanaka T, Kakizaki S, Shimada N, Kawata K, Naganuma A, Kosaka H, Shibata H, Aoki T, Tanaka T, Ohama H, Nouso K, Morishita A, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Itokawa N, Okubo T, Arai T, Imai M, Koizumi Y, Nakamura S, Joko K, Iijima H, Kaibori M, Hiasa Y, Kudo M. Does first-line treatment have prognostic impact for unresectable HCC?-Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib. Cancer Med 2022; 12:325-334. [PMID: 35666040 PMCID: PMC9844603 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM A comparison of therapeutic efficacy between atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) and lenvatinib treatment given as first-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC) in regard to progression-free survival (PFS) overall survival (OS) has not been reported. We aimed to elucidate which of those given as initial treatment for u-HCC has greater prognostic impact on PFS and OS of affected patients, retrospectively. MATERIALS/METHODS From 2020 to January 2022, 251 u-HCC (Child-Pugh A, ECOG PS 0/1, BCLC-B/C) treated were enrolled (Atez/Bev-group, n = 194; lenvatinib-group, n = 57). PFS and OS were analyzed following adjustment based on inverse probability weighting (IPW). RESULTS There was a greater number of patients with macro-vascular invasion in Atez/Bev-group (22.7% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.022). In lenvatinib-group, the frequencies of appetite loss (38.6% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.002), hypothyroidism (21.1% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.004), hand foot skin reaction (19.3% vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001), and diarrhea (10.5% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.012) were greater, while that of general fatigue was lower (22.8% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.008). Comparisons of therapeutic best response using modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) did not show significant differences between the present groups (Atez/Bev vs. lenvatinib: CR/PR/SD/PD = 6.1%/39.1%/39.1%/15.6% vs. 0%/48.0%/38.0%/14.0%, p = 0.285). In patients of discontinuation of treatments, 48.2% switched to lenvatinib, 10.6% continued beyond PD, 8.2% received another systemic treatment, 5.9% underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), 3.5% received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), and 1.2% underwent surgical resection in Atez/Bev-group, while 42.2% switched to Atez/Bev, 4.4% continued beyond PD, 4.4% received another systemic treatment, 2.2% nivolumab, 6.7% received TACE, and 2.2% received HAIC in lenvatinib-group. Following adjustment with inverse probability weighting (IPW), Atez/Bev-group showed better PFS (0.5-/1-/1.5-years: 56.6%/31.6%/non-estimable vs. 48.6%/20.4%/11.2%, p < 0.0001) and OS rates (0.5-/1-/1.5-years: 89.6%/67.2%/58.1% vs. 77.8%/66.2%/52.7%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION The present study showed that u-HCC patients who received Atez/Bev as a first-line treatment may have a better prognosis than those who received lenvatinib.
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22
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Zhang S, Wang X, Gu H, Liu JQ. Feasibility and Safety of Anlotinib Monotherapy for Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Exploratory Study. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:1715-1727. [PMID: 35592110 PMCID: PMC9113659 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s359482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of anlotinib monotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) retrospectively. Methods This study was designed as a real-world study. A total of 83 patients with advanced or metastatic ESCC who received anlotinib monotherapy were included. Demographic characteristics of the patients, efficacy data of the treatment and adverse reactions during the treatment were documented and analyzed through the electronic medical record system in the hospital. All the patients were followed up regularly. The primary endpoint of this study was progression-free survival (PFS), secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), safety profile and PFS analysis according to adverse reactions. Results A total of 83 patients with ESCC who received anlotinib monotherapy were included. Partial response was observed in 7 patients, stable disease was noted in 51 patients and progressive disease was found in 25 patients, which yielded an ORR of 8.4% (95% CI: 3.5–16.6%), and a DCR of 69.9% (95% CI: 58.8–79.5%). Furthermore, the median PFS of the 83 patients with advanced ESCC was 3.3 months (95% CI: 2.20–4.40) and the median OS was 7.8 months (95% CI: 5.40–10.20). Common adverse reactions among the 83 patients were hypertension (51.8%), fatigue (48.2%), weight loss (41.0%), diarrhea (34.9) and hand-foot syndrome (30.1%). Correlation analysis between hypertension status and PFS suggested that PFS of the patients with hypertension was longer than that of those with non-hypertension (median PFS: 4.5 vs 3.0 months, P = 0.019). Conclusion Anlotinib monotherapy demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerable toxicity for patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic ESCC. Hypertension that occurs during anlotinib administration might be used as a potential biomarker to predict PFS of patients with ESCC. The conclusion should be confirmed in prospective clinical trials subsequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun-Qi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jun-Qi Liu, Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jian-She East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13938550770, Email
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23
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Modulation of the tumour microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma by tyrosine kinase inhibitors: from modulation to combination therapy targeting the microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:73. [PMID: 35148789 PMCID: PMC8840552 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain the backbone of systematic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib and lenvatinib are currently approved as first-line therapeutic drugs, and regorafenib and cabozantinib are applied as second-line treatments. With inhibition of angiogenesis as the main target, TKIs exert a profound effect on the tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME is a complex mixture of cellular and noncellular components surrounding the tumour mass, and is associated with tumour progression partially through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Specifically, the TME of HCC is characterized by profound extracellular matrix remodelling and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of TME remodelling mediated by four Food and Drug Administration approved TKIs in HCC and thus summarize the rationale and potential targets for combination therapy. The modulatory effect of TKIs on the TME of HCC was reported to enhance the antitumour effect of TKIs through pyroptosis of macrophages and subsequent natural killer cell activation, T cell activation, regulatory T cell reduction in HCC. Meanwhile, TKIs also induce drug resistance via M2 polarization and accumulation, recruitment of tumour-associated neutrophils, and induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, the effect of TKIs on TME can enhance its antitumour effect, but might also partially contribute to the drug resistance that hinders the progression of TKIs as treatment for HCC. Additionally, the effect of TKIs also provides the rationale for combination therapy, including combining TKIs with immune checkpoint inhibitors, to facilitate increased drug efficacy of TKIs.
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24
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Lin YT, Wu HC. The efficacy of sorafenib after progression on atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination therapy in a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/2311-3006.362637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
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25
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Aoki T, Nishida N, Ueshima K, Morita M, Chishina H, Takita M, Hagiwara S, Ida H, Minami Y, Yamada A, Sofue K, Tsurusaki M, Kudo M. Higher Enhancement Intrahepatic Nodules on the Hepatobiliary Phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI as a Poor Responsive Marker of Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Monotherapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2021. [PMID: 34950184 DOI: 10.1159/000518048.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are promising agents for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the establishment of noninvasive measure that could predict the response to ICIs is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate tumor responses to ICIs using the hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was shown to reflect Wnt/β-catenin activating mutation. Methods A total of 68 intrahepatic HCC nodules from 18 patients with unresectable HCC and Child-Pugh class A liver function who received anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monotherapy were enrolled in this study. All patients had viable intrahepatic lesions evaluable using the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI within the 6 months prior to the treatment. The relative enhancement ratio was calculated, and the time to nodular progression (TTnP) defined as 20% or more increase in each nodule was compared between higher or hypo-enhancement HCC nodules. Then, the progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) were compared between patients with and without HCC nodules with higher enhancement on hepatobiliary phase images. Results The median PFS was 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-4.0) months in patients with HCC nodules with higher enhancement (n = 8) and 5.8 (95% CI: 0.0-18.9) months in patients with hypointense HCC nodules (n = 10) (p = 0.007). The median TTnP of HCC nodules with higher enhancement (n = 23) was 1.97 (95% CI: 1.86-2.07) months and that of hypointense HCC nodules (n = 45) was not reached (p = 0.003). The ORR was 12.5% (1/8) versus 30.0% (3/10); the disease control rate was 37.5% (3/8) versus 70.0% (7/10), respectively, in patients with or without higher enhancement intrahepatic HCC nodules. Conclusion The TTnP on HCC nodules with higher enhancement and the median PFS in patients who carried higher enhancement intrahepatic HCC nodules were significantly shorter than those in hypointense HCC nodules with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy. The intensity of the nodule on the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI is a promising imaging biomarker for predicting unfavorable response with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Kazuomi Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Chishina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Satoru Hagiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Yasunori Minami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Akira Yamada
- Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Keitaro Sofue
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Tsurusaki
- Department of Radiology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
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26
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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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27
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Jin Y, Zuo HX, Li MY, Zhang ZH, Xing Y, Wang JY, Ma J, Li G, Piao H, Gu P, Jin X. Anti-Tumor Effects of Carrimycin and Monomeric Isovalerylspiramycin I on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Vitro and in Vivo. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:774231. [PMID: 34899336 PMCID: PMC8662527 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.774231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma results in a high risk of second primary malignancies and has prominent morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of effective treatment and prognosis is poor. Therefore, effective drugs need to be discovered. Carrimycin is a 16-member macrolide antibiotic with anticancer activity, and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I is a main component. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-tumor effects of carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I on hepatocellular carcinoma through in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vitro, changes in cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by MTT, colony formation, EdU labeling, wound-healing, matrigel transwell invasion, and flow cytometric assays using SK-Hep1, Hep3B, SNU-354, SNU-387 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to detect the effects of carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I on the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Nude mice were subcutaneously transplanted with SK-Hep1 cells or C57BL/6J mice were orthotopically transplanted with hepatocarcinoma H22 cells. Tumor volume, pathological changes in tumor tissues, and the concentration of VEGF in mouse serum were measured after treatments. Carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I dose-dependently inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma cell viability, colony formation, and DNA replication. These agents markedly suppressed migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of the cell lines. Western blotting and RT-PCR demonstrated that carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I reduced VEGF and PD-L1 protein and mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo studies further confirmed that carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I could significantly inhibit tumor growth, tumor histopathological alterations, and the concentration of VEGF in both mouse tumor models. These results show that carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Therefore, our discovery suggests anti-tumor capacity for carrimycin and monomeric isovalerylspiramycin I and provides data on potential new drugs for inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Hong Xiang Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Ming Yue Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Zhi Hong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Yue Xing
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Jing Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Juan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Gao Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Hongxin Piao
- Liver Diseases Branch, Yanbian University Affiliated Hospital, Yanji, China
| | - Puqing Gu
- Shanghai Tonglian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuejun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
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28
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Johira Y, Kawaoka T, Kosaka M, Shirane Y, Miura R, Murakami S, Yano S, Amioka K, Naruto K, Ando Y, Kosaka Y, Kodama K, Uchikawa S, Fujino H, Ono A, Nakahara T, Murakami E, Okamoto W, Yamauchi M, Imamura M, Sentani K, Oue N, Arihiro K, Kuroda S, Kobayashi T, Ohdan H, Chayama K, Aikata H. Pathological Complete Response to Lenvatinib after Failure of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2021; 11:174-177. [PMID: 35634428 PMCID: PMC9109072 DOI: 10.1159/000520898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Johira
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kawaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masanari Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuki Shirane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Miura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Serami Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yano
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kei Amioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kensuke Naruto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuwa Ando
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yumi Kosaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Uchikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hatsue Fujino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ono
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Eisuke Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Wataru Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masami Yamauchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Michio Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sentani
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Naohide Oue
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Koji Arihiro
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kuroda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan,*Hiroshi Aikata,
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29
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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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30
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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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31
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Hayakawa Y, Tsuchiya K, Kurosaki M, Yasui Y, Kaneko S, Tanaka Y, Ishido S, Inada K, Kirino S, Yamashita K, Nobusawa T, Matsumoto H, Kakegawa T, Higuchi M, Takaura K, Tanaka S, Maeyashiki C, Tamaki N, Nakanishi H, Itakura J, Takahashi Y, Asahina Y, Okamoto R, Izumi N. Early experience of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy in Japanese patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real-world practice. Invest New Drugs 2021; 40:392-402. [PMID: 34586531 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC) based on whether they had previously received systemic therapy, as well as the association of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab with early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in real-world practice. METHODS A total of 52 patients with u-HCC were treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab between October 2020 and April 2021. The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and modified RECIST were used to evaluate radiological responses. RESULTS The patients received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as 1st-line (n = 23), 2nd-line (n = 16), 3rd-line (n = 6), 4th-line (n = 3), 5th-line (n = 3), or 6th-line (n = 1) therapy. According to RECIST, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) in all patients were 15.4% and 57.7%. In the 1st-line patients, ORR and DCR based on RECIST 1.1 were 27.3% and 81.8%. The median time to progression (TTP) assessed by RECIST was significantly longer among patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as 1st-line therapy than in patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as later-line therapy (P < 0.001). Patients with an AFP response (reduction ≥ 20% from baseline) at 6 weeks had a significantly longer TTP assessed by RECIST than those without an AFP response (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION Patients who received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as 1st-line therapy had better clinical outcome than those who received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in later lines. The AFP response at 6 weeks could be a predictor of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan. .,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
| | - Kaoru Tsuchiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kurosaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yasui
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Shun Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Yuki Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Shun Ishido
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kento Inada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Sakura Kirino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Koji Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Nobusawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Matsumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kakegawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Mayu Higuchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Kenta Takaura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Shohei Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Chiaki Maeyashiki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Nobuharu Tamaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, NAFLD Research Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Jun Itakura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Yuka Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Asahina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Namiki Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, 1-26-1, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8610, Japan
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Aoki T, Nishida N, Ueshima K, Morita M, Chishina H, Takita M, Hagiwara S, Ida H, Minami Y, Yamada A, Sofue K, Tsurusaki M, Kudo M. Higher Enhancement Intrahepatic Nodules on the Hepatobiliary Phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI as a Poor Responsive Marker of Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Monotherapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2021; 10:615-628. [PMID: 34950184 PMCID: PMC8647075 DOI: 10.1159/000518048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are promising agents for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the establishment of noninvasive measure that could predict the response to ICIs is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate tumor responses to ICIs using the hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was shown to reflect Wnt/β-catenin activating mutation. METHODS A total of 68 intrahepatic HCC nodules from 18 patients with unresectable HCC and Child-Pugh class A liver function who received anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monotherapy were enrolled in this study. All patients had viable intrahepatic lesions evaluable using the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI within the 6 months prior to the treatment. The relative enhancement ratio was calculated, and the time to nodular progression (TTnP) defined as 20% or more increase in each nodule was compared between higher or hypo-enhancement HCC nodules. Then, the progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) were compared between patients with and without HCC nodules with higher enhancement on hepatobiliary phase images. RESULTS The median PFS was 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-4.0) months in patients with HCC nodules with higher enhancement (n = 8) and 5.8 (95% CI: 0.0-18.9) months in patients with hypointense HCC nodules (n = 10) (p = 0.007). The median TTnP of HCC nodules with higher enhancement (n = 23) was 1.97 (95% CI: 1.86-2.07) months and that of hypointense HCC nodules (n = 45) was not reached (p = 0.003). The ORR was 12.5% (1/8) versus 30.0% (3/10); the disease control rate was 37.5% (3/8) versus 70.0% (7/10), respectively, in patients with or without higher enhancement intrahepatic HCC nodules. CONCLUSION The TTnP on HCC nodules with higher enhancement and the median PFS in patients who carried higher enhancement intrahepatic HCC nodules were significantly shorter than those in hypointense HCC nodules with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy. The intensity of the nodule on the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI is a promising imaging biomarker for predicting unfavorable response with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan,*Masatoshi Kudo,
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Kazuomi Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Chishina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Satoru Hagiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Yasunori Minami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Akira Yamada
- Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - Keitaro Sofue
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Tsurusaki
- Department of Radiology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
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33
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Hiraoka A, Kumada T, Tada T, Tani J, Kariyama K, Fukunishi S, Atsukawa M, Hirooka M, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Takaguchi K, Itobayashi E, Tajiri K, Shimada N, Shibata H, Ochi H, Kawata K, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Aoki T, Tanaka T, Ohama H, Nouso K, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Itokawa N, Arai T, Okubo T, Imai M, Koizumi Y, Nakamura S, Joko K, Hiasa Y, Kudo M. Efficacy of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma based on background liver disease etiology: multi-center retrospective study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16663. [PMID: 34404856 PMCID: PMC8370989 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96089-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It was recently reported that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are not responsive to immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/NASH-related unresectable-HCC (u-HCC). Five hundred thirty u-HCC patients with Child-Pugh A were enrolled, and divided into the NAFLD/NASH (n = 103) and Viral/Alcohol (n = 427) groups. Clinical features were compared in a retrospective manner. Progression-free survival (PFS) was better in the NAFLD/NASH than the Viral/Alcohol group (median 9.3 vs. 7.5 months, P = 0.012), while there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) (20.5 vs. 16.9 months, P = 0.057). In Cox-hazard analysis of prognostic factors for PFS, elevated ALT (≥ 30 U/L) (HR 1.247, P = 0.029), modified ALBI grade 2b (HR 1.236, P = 0.047), elevated AFP (≥ 400 ng/mL) (HR 1.294, P = 0.014), and NAFLD/NASH etiology (HR 0.763, P = 0.036) were significant prognostic factors. NAFLD/NASH etiology was not a significant prognostic factor in Cox-hazard analysis for OS (HR0.758, P = 0.092), whereas AFP (≥ 400 ng/mL) (HR 1.402, P = 0.009), BCLC C stage (HR 1.297, P = 0.035), later line use (HR 0.737, P = 0.014), and modified ALBI grade 2b (HR 1.875, P < 0.001) were significant. Lenvatinib can improve the prognosis of patients affected by u-HCC irrespective of HCC etiology or its line of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Kasuga-cho 83, Ehime, Japan.
| | - Takashi Kumada
- Department of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Himeji Red Cross Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kariyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukunishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Tsuji
- Center of Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toru Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Koichi Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Kazuto Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - Noritomo Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hironori Ochi
- Hepato-Biliary Center, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- Department of Hepatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Tomoko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Kasuga-cho 83, Ehime, Japan
| | - Hideko Ohama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nouso
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akemi Tsutsui
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Takuya Nagano
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Norio Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeang Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michitaka Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yohei Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | | | - Koji Joko
- Hepato-Biliary Center, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
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Hiraoka A, Kumada T, Hatanaka T, Tada T, Kariyama K, Tani J, Fukunishi S, Atsukawa M, Hirooka M, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Takaguchi K, Itobayashi E, Tajiri K, Shimada N, Shibata H, Ochi H, Kawata K, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Chikara O, Tamai T, Kakizaki S, Tojima H, Nagashima T, Ueno T, Takizawa D, Naganuma A, Ohama H, Nouso K, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Itokawa N, Okubo T, Arai T, Imai M, Koizumi Y, Nakamura S, Joko K, Michitaka K, Hiasa Y, Kudo M. Therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib as third-line treatment after regorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Hepatol Res 2021; 51:880-889. [PMID: 33837620 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM Multiple molecular agents have been developed for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical efficacy of sequential treatment with lenvatinib after regorafenib failure. METHODS From June 2017 to October 2020, 63 patients with Child-Pugh A and treated with regorafenib followed by sorafenib were enrolled (median age 71 years, 52 men, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B:C = 23:40). They were divided into two groups, those treated with lenvatinib after regorafenib treatment (R-L group, n = 47) and those who did not receive lenvatinib after regorafenib (non-R-L group, n = 16). Prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed after adjustment with inverse probability weighting. RESULTS Serum albumin level at the start of regorafenib and reasons for discontinuation of regorafenib were significantly different between the R-L and non-R-L groups, whereas the albumin-bilirubin score, Child-Pugh class, and tumor burden were not. Progression-free survival was also not significantly different (median 4.1 vs. 3.8 months, p = 0.586). As for overall survival, the R-L group showed better prognosis after introducing regorafenib and after introducing sorafenib, following inverse probability weighting adjustment (MST 19.7 vs. 10.3 months, 33.8 vs. 15.3 months, p < 0.001 and p = 0.022, respectively). Modified albumin-bilirubin grade 2b (score >-2.27) at the start of regorafenib (HR 2.074, p = 0.041) and the presence of lenvatinib treatment after regorafenib failure (HR 0.355, p = 0.004) were found to be significant prognostic factors in Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis, after inverse probability weighting adjustment. CONCLUSION These results show that lenvatinib is a good sequential treatment option after progression under regorafenib therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients with better hepatic reserve function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takashi Kumada
- Department of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hatanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Himeji Red Cross Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kariyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukunishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Tsuji
- Center of Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toru Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Koichi Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Kazuto Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - Noritomo Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hironori Ochi
- Hepato-biliary Center, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- Department of Hepatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ogawa Chikara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Takamatsu Red Cross Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Tamai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kagoshima City Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Satoru Kakizaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tojima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Tamon Nagashima
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Shibukawa Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueno
- Department of Internal Medicine, Isesaki Municipal Hospital, Isesaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Daichi Takizawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Hideko Ohama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nouso
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akemi Tsutsui
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Takuya Nagano
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Norio Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeang Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michitaka Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yohei Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | | | - Kouji Joko
- Hepato-biliary Center, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kojiro Michitaka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
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35
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Nishida N. Role of Oncogenic Pathways on the Cancer Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Its Clinical Implications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3666. [PMID: 34359568 PMCID: PMC8345137 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is complex, consisting of crosstalk among tumor components such as the cancer cells, stromal cells and immune cells. It is conceivable that phenotypic changes in cancer cells by genetic and epigenetic alterations affect the cancer-stroma interaction and anti-cancer immunity through the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and metabolites that may act on the immune system in tumors. Therefore, predicting the outcome of ICI therapy requires a thorough understanding of the oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer and how they affect tumor immune evasion. In this review, we have detailed how oncogenic signaling pathways can play a role in altering the condition of the cellular components of the tumor immune microenvironment such as tumor-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The RAS/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin and JAK/STAT pathways have all been implicated in anti-tumor immunity. We also found that factors that reflect the immune microenvironment of the tumor, including the status of oncogenic pathways such as the volume of tumor-infiltrating T cells, expression of the immune checkpoint protein PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1, and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, predict a response to ICI therapy in HCC cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama 589-8511, Japan
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36
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Role of Oncogenic Pathways on the Cancer Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Its Clinical Implications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021. [PMID: 34359568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153666.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is complex, consisting of crosstalk among tumor components such as the cancer cells, stromal cells and immune cells. It is conceivable that phenotypic changes in cancer cells by genetic and epigenetic alterations affect the cancer-stroma interaction and anti-cancer immunity through the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and metabolites that may act on the immune system in tumors. Therefore, predicting the outcome of ICI therapy requires a thorough understanding of the oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer and how they affect tumor immune evasion. In this review, we have detailed how oncogenic signaling pathways can play a role in altering the condition of the cellular components of the tumor immune microenvironment such as tumor-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The RAS/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin and JAK/STAT pathways have all been implicated in anti-tumor immunity. We also found that factors that reflect the immune microenvironment of the tumor, including the status of oncogenic pathways such as the volume of tumor-infiltrating T cells, expression of the immune checkpoint protein PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1, and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, predict a response to ICI therapy in HCC cases.
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37
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Zhang T, Merle P, Wang H, Zhao H, Kudo M. Combination therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: do we see the light at the end of the tunnel? Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2021; 10:180-192. [PMID: 33898559 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-2021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Importance Combination therapies of anti-PD-1 and anti-angiogenesis regimens are emerging rapidly and exhibit more promising anti-tumor efficacy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and consistently it is the hotspot in clinical studies. Objective To elaborate several issues which are warranted further consideration as more regimens are being investigated in combination therapies. Evidence Review We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar by 2021 February for publications on combination therapies for HCC. Findings Several clinical issues are worth reconsidering, such as the evaluation on appropriate primary endpoints in phase III clinical trials as for different practical problems, the translation of surrogate endpoint objective response rate (ORR) benefits into overall survival (OS) benefits, and whether conversion surgery contributes to initial expectations of long-term survival or not. New concepts in novel immunotherapy and targeted therapy in combination with loco-regional therapies may improve overall survival for HCC. Conclusions and Relevance for Reviews Comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of immunotherapy and targeted therapy contributes to better prognosis of advanced HCC and more explorative combination therapies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ti Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Philippe Merle
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 103 Grande rue de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Huaqi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
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38
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Kudo M. Sequential Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Failure of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy. Liver Cancer 2021; 10:85-93. [PMID: 33977086 PMCID: PMC8077462 DOI: 10.1159/000514312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- *Masatoshi Kudo, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2, Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511 (Japan),
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39
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Kudo M. Impact of Multi-Drug Sequential Therapy on Survival in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2021; 10:1-9. [PMID: 33708635 PMCID: PMC7923933 DOI: 10.1159/000514194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- *Masatoshi Kudo, Department of Gastroenterology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2, Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511 (Japan),
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