Value of α-fetoprotein as an early biomarker for treatment response to sorafenib therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Levels of PIVKA-II and alpha-fetoprotein in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared to healthy controls and predictive values of both markers with radiological responses after loco-regional interventions

Background

The significance of the current study was to determine normative levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in patients with unresectable HCC and healthy participants. The second goal was to assess the roles of PIVKA-II and AFP in predicting radiological response after loco-regional therapy.

Methods

This prospective cohort study enrolled consecutive samples of HCC patients and healthy controls. Venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and after interventions to determine serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method. Radiologic responses were determined based on the WHO criteria.

Results

Fifty-four HCC patients (mean age 58.9 years, 49 males) and 40 healthy controls (mean age 33.5 years, 26 males) were recruited. The median serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in HCC vs. healthy controls were 988.4 vs. 24.2 mAU/ml and 13.6 vs. 1.7 ng/ml, respectively (both p < 0.001). With ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for PIVKA-II was 0.95 95% CI [0.90-0.99], and for AFP it was 0.98, 95% CI [0.95-1.0]). The cut-off value for PIVKA-II was 41.4 mAU/ml, and AFP was 4.8 ng/ml. PIVKA-II levels correlated significantly with radiological responses (r = 0.64, p = 0.02) but not AFP (r = 0.09, p = 0.2).

Conclusion

PIVKA-II and AFP levels are distinctive between unresectable HCC and healthy controls. However, PIVKA-II, not AFP, can predict the radiological response after loco-regional therapy.

Artificial intelligence based on serum biomarkers predicts the efficacy of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Lenvatinib has been effective not only as a first-line but also as a later-line systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in real-world clinical practice. How to predict the efficacy of lenvatinib and guide appropriate therapy selection in patients with uHCC have become important issues. This study aimed to investigate the impact of serum biomarkers on the treatment outcomes of patients with uHCC treated with lenvatinib in a real-world setting using an artificial intelligence algorithm. We measured serum biomarkers, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, and circulating angiogenic factors (CAFs [i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, fibroblast growth factor-19 [FGF19], and FGF21]) and analyzed treatment outcomes, including objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with uHCC treated with lenvatinib. The results of this study demonstrated that an AFP reduction ≥ 40% from baseline within 8 weeks after lenvatinib induction was associated with a higher ORR. With baseline biomarkers using a decision tree-based model, we identified patients with high, intermediate, and low ORRs (84.6%, 21.7% and 0%, respectively; odds ratio, 53.04, P < 0.001, high versus intermediate/low groups). Based on the decision tree-based survival predictive model, baseline AFP was the most important factor for OS, followed by ALBI grade and FGF21.

Combination Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Sorafenib Improves Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

Purpose

To compare the difference in outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein thrombosis (PVTT) between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) concurrent with sorafenib and IMRT alone.

Methods

A total of 82 patients with PVTT from 2014 to 2019 were included. Of these, 36 received IMRT concurrent with sorafenib treatment (group A), while 46 underwent IMRT alone (group B). The dose of IMRT was 40.0–62.5 Gy/2–2.5 Gy/4–6 w, and patients received orally administered sorafenib 400 mg twice a day in combination with IMRT. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and median distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were evaluated by using LIFETEST procedure of SAS.

Results

The median survival time was 11.0 months in group A versus 9.0 months in group B. The 1- and 2-year OS in group A were 44.9% and 3.8% versus 28.6% and 2.6% in group B (P=0.036), respectively. The median PFS was 6.0 months in group A versus 3.0 months in group B. The 1- and 2-year PFS in group A were 20.7% and 6.9% versus 2.7% and 0.0% in group B (P=0.012), respectively. The 1- and 2-year DMFS in group A were 38.0% and 7.9% versus 16.7% and 0.0% in group B (P=0.019), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Child–Pugh classification, AFP response, and overall response were independent risk factors for OS (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in adverse events except fatigue and skin reactions between the two groups.

Conclusion

Compared with IMRT alone, IMRT concurrent with sorafenib can improve the long-term efficacy of HCC patients with PVTT, without increasing adverse reactions. The patients with Child–Pugh A, overall response, and AFP response obtained better OS.

Early Tumor Response and Safety of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Real-World Practice

The aim of this study was to investigate the early tumor response and safety of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real-world practice. Forty patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function and eastern cooperative oncology group performance status 0 or 1 were enrolled. The objective response rate (ORR) at six weeks after the start of treatment, changes in α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin, incidence of adverse events (AEs), and changes in albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and serum ammonia level, were evaluated. Among 40 patients, 24 had histories of prior molecular targeted agents (MTAs). The ORR was 22.5% based on mRECIST. Multivariate analysis showed that an AFP ratio <1.0 at three weeks (odds ratio 39.2, 95% confidence interval CI 2.37-649.0, p = 0.0103) was the only significant factor for predicting early response. There was no significant difference in the frequency of AEs between patients receiving first-line treatments and others. Fatigue, proteinuria, and ascites were more frequent in patients who experienced prior treatment. No decrease in ALBI score or increase in serum ammonia level was observed. Our study demonstrated that AFP may be useful in assessing early response and that this treatment is safe, including in patients with prior MTA treatments.

Lower Serum Sodium Levels Are Associated with the Therapeutic Effect of Sorafenib on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although the serum sodium level has been reported to be a prognostic and predictive marker for the therapeutic effects of lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma treated with molecular targeted therapy, the serum sodium level has not been investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with sorafenib. The aim of our analysis was to assess the prognostic role of serum sodium levels in these patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 341 HCC patients treated with sorafenib between 2009 and 2012 in our hospital and other related institutions.

RESULTS

A total of 178 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 72 years (44-88), and 148 patients (83%) were male. The median overall survival (OS) was 12.9 months, and the median time to progression (TTP) was 3.1 months. Hyponatremia (hazard ratio (HR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-2.52), a lower sodium level (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07-2.80), and a high level of α-fetoprotein (AFP) (≥ 200 ng/mL) (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.26-2.52) were independent prognostic factors for TTP. We also categorized the patients into three groups according to serum sodium and AFP levels: Group A (n = 39) (serum sodium > 140 mEq/L, AFP < 200 ng/mL), Group C (n = 58) (serum sodium ≤ 140 mEq/L, AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL), and Group B (n = 81) (other patients). Significantly longer TTP and OS were observed in the following order: Groups A, C, and B.

CONCLUSION

Serum sodium levels are associated with the effectiveness of sorafenib. The serum sodium level can predict the therapeutic effect of sorafenib in advanced HCC patients.

Anterior mediastinal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with elevated AFP: A case report and review

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and aggressive cancer that typically presents in the lung. The current case report describes a 56 year old male who presented to Strong Memorial Hospital with progressive dyspnea and was revealed to have a large anterior mediastinal tumor with metastases to axillary, hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. Tumor marker results revealed an elevated plasma level of α-fetoprotein (AFP), which initially pointed towards a diagnosis of teratoma, but the tumor stained positive for neuroendocrine markers CD56, chromogranin, and synaptophysin on biopsy, consistent with LCNEC. AFP-positive tumor cells were identified, and no alternate cause for the elevated AFP was identified. The patient underwent genetic testing revealing the tumor to be ALK, ROS1, KRAS, BRAF and EGFR wild type. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin (80 mg/m²) and etoposide (100 mg/m²) and then radiation with an initial minor response. The patients course was complicated by the development of superior vena cava syndrome requiring emergency stenting. The results of the current case suggest that AFP may be worthy of further exploration as a potential tumor marker in LCNEC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus extends to the right atrium and portal vein: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most important primary malignant liver disease. A large proportion of patients with advanced HCC have macrovascular invasion. HCC tends to infiltrate vascular structures, particularly the portal vein and its branches, and more rarely, the hepatic veins. The intravascular tumor thrombus can affect the inferior vena cava (IVC) or even the right atrium (RA), the latter having a poor prognosis.

CASE SUMMARY

HCC is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors. Tumor thrombus (TT) formation in advanced HCC stages is common and usually involves the hepatic or portal veins. Herein, we report a 69-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea to the emergency department. A ventilation/perfusion lung scan was performed, ruling out pulmonary embolism. Hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension were discarded with contrasted echocardiography, but a mass in the RA was detected and confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Abdominal computed tomography showed a liver mass with a dynamic enhancement pattern compatible with HCC and an intraluminal IVC mass extending from the hepatic vein into the RA. HCC with TT expansion to IVC and RA is rare and indicates poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

HCC with TT expansion to IVC and RA is rare and indicates poor prognosis. There is no consensus about anticoagulation or other interventions in these patients.

Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Levels and Clinical Outcomes in the Phase III CELESTIAL Study of Cabozantinib versus Placebo in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

The phase III CELESTIAL study demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with cabozantinib versus placebo in patients with previously treated, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed outcomes by baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and on-treatment AFP changes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Serum AFP was measured every 8 weeks by blinded, centralized testing. Outcomes were analyzed by baseline AFP bifurcated at 400 ng/mL and by on-treatment AFP response (≥20% decrease from baseline at Week 8). The optimal cutoff for change in AFP at Week 8 was evaluated using maximally selected rank statistics.

RESULTS

Median OS for cabozantinib versus placebo was 13.9 versus 10.3 months [HR, 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62-1.04] for patients with baseline AFP <400 ng/mL, and 8.5 versus 5.2 months (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.94) for patients with baseline AFP ≥400 ng/mL. Week 8 AFP response rate was 50% for cabozantinib versus 13% for placebo. In the cabozantinib arm, median OS for patients with and without AFP response was 16.1 versus 9.1 months (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.84). AFP response was independently associated with longer OS. The optimal cutoff for association with OS in the cabozantinib arm was ≤0% change in AFP at Week 8 [AFP control; HR 0.50 (95% CI, 0.35-0.71)]. HRs for PFS were consistent with those for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cabozantinib improved outcomes versus placebo across a range of baseline AFP levels. On-treatment AFP response and control rates were higher with cabozantinib than placebo, and were associated with longer OS and PFS with cabozantinib.

Elevated levels of serum urokinase plasminogen activator predict poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after resection

BACKGROUND

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is an extracellular matrix-degrading protease that is involved in the invasiveness and progression of cancer. There is good evidence that uPA expression is a clinically relevant biomarker in some solid tumors, but its role in hepatocellulcar carcinoma (HCC) is uncertain. We evaluated the prognostic value of serum uPA before surgery in HCC patients receiving curative resection.

METHODS

Serum uPA levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 282 HCC patients who received complete liver resections at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Overall survival (OS) curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional -hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. The median follow-up time was 52 months.

RESULTS

Patients with higher pretreatment serum uPA (≥1 ng/ml) had significantly shorter OS (p = 0.002). Patients with liver cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia were significantly more likely to present with elevated uPA levels. Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that high pretreatment serum uPA [hazard ratio (HR), 1.848, p = 0.006], vascular invasion (HR, 2.940, p < 0.001), and pathology stage III/IV (HR, 3.517, p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. In further stratified analyses, the combination of serum uPA and AFP had more capacity to predict OS.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that uPA is a clinically relevant biomarker in HCC patients receiving curative resection, with higher expression of uPA being associated with higher mortality. This also highlights the potential utility of uPA as a therapeutic target for improved treatment strategies.

Predictive and Prognostic Factors in HCC Patients Treated with Sorafenib

Sorafenib is an oral kinase inhibitor that enhances survival in patients affected by advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to the results of two registrative trials, this drug represents a gold quality standard in the first line treatment of advanced HCC. Recently, lenvatinib showed similar results in terms of survival in a non-inferiority randomized trial study considering the same subset of patients. Unlike other targeted therapies, predictive and prognostic markers in HCC patients treated with sorafenib are lacking. Their identification could help clinicians in the daily management of these patients, mostly in light of the new therapeutic options available in the first.

The future is now: beyond first line systemic therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is becoming a worldwide concern due to its rising incidence. Although for the incipient stages there are curative therapies, the advanced disease represents a major provocation for the clinicians. 2008 marked as an important year for the hepatology community with the administration of sorafenib for late stages of HCC. Six years after this major discovery, the multikinase inhibitor still represents an important pillar, the first line treatment for the advanced liver cancer. Lenvatinib may represent a new promising first line strategy, but it is still unavailable in many countries. The last years represented an explosion in the research of HCC. Beyond the first line treatments there are a plethora of new emerging therapies. By far immunotherapy represents the major revolution in oncology. While adoptive immunotherapy is still at the beginning, immune check-point inhibitors bursted in many clinical trials with very encouraging results. This review summarises the major discoveries in the field of HCC with an emphasis on immunotherapy. It also briefly describes the important aspects of primary liver cancer immunology and the major ongoing clinical trials.