Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Key clinical point: Time to progression and progression-free survival significantly improved among adults with HCC who received a combination of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib compared to those who received TACE alone or with placebo; both objective response rate and disease control rate also improved in combination therapy patients.

Major finding: The combination therapy of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib significantly improved time to progression (hazard ratio 0.73; P = 0.03) and progression-free survival (HR 0.62; P < 0.00001) compared to TACE alone or with placebo; however, the combination did not improve overall survival compared to the other groups.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 7 randomized, controlled trials with a total of 1,464 patients; of these, 734 had TACE plus sorafenib and 730 had TACE plus placebo or TACE only.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Dai Y et al. Transl Oncol. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101238. 

Key clinical point: Time to progression and progression-free survival significantly improved among adults with HCC who received a combination of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib compared to those who received TACE alone or with placebo; both objective response rate and disease control rate also improved in combination therapy patients.

Major finding: The combination therapy of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib significantly improved time to progression (hazard ratio 0.73; P = 0.03) and progression-free survival (HR 0.62; P < 0.00001) compared to TACE alone or with placebo; however, the combination did not improve overall survival compared to the other groups.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 7 randomized, controlled trials with a total of 1,464 patients; of these, 734 had TACE plus sorafenib and 730 had TACE plus placebo or TACE only.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Dai Y et al. Transl Oncol. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101238. 

Key clinical point: Time to progression and progression-free survival significantly improved among adults with HCC who received a combination of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib compared to those who received TACE alone or with placebo; both objective response rate and disease control rate also improved in combination therapy patients.

Major finding: The combination therapy of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib significantly improved time to progression (hazard ratio 0.73; P = 0.03) and progression-free survival (HR 0.62; P < 0.00001) compared to TACE alone or with placebo; however, the combination did not improve overall survival compared to the other groups.

Study details: The data come from a meta-analysis of 7 randomized, controlled trials with a total of 1,464 patients; of these, 734 had TACE plus sorafenib and 730 had TACE plus placebo or TACE only.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Dai Y et al. Transl Oncol. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101238. 

Key clinical point: Nucleotide analog therapy (NtA) significantly reduced risk of HCC recurrence and increased overall survival compared to nucleoside analog therapy (NsA) in patients who underwent curative hepatectomy.

Major finding: Compared to NsA therapy, NtA therapy significantly decreased the risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio 0.64; P < 0.001) and HCC-related death (HR 0.52; P = 0.001) in patients after surgical resection.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 1,303 adults with hepatitis B-related HCC who received curative hepatectomy at five centers between April 2014 and April 2019.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Qi W et al. Cancer Med. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4348.

Key clinical point: Nucleotide analog therapy (NtA) significantly reduced risk of HCC recurrence and increased overall survival compared to nucleoside analog therapy (NsA) in patients who underwent curative hepatectomy.

Major finding: Compared to NsA therapy, NtA therapy significantly decreased the risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio 0.64; P < 0.001) and HCC-related death (HR 0.52; P = 0.001) in patients after surgical resection.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 1,303 adults with hepatitis B-related HCC who received curative hepatectomy at five centers between April 2014 and April 2019.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Qi W et al. Cancer Med. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4348.

Key clinical point: Nucleotide analog therapy (NtA) significantly reduced risk of HCC recurrence and increased overall survival compared to nucleoside analog therapy (NsA) in patients who underwent curative hepatectomy.

Major finding: Compared to NsA therapy, NtA therapy significantly decreased the risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio 0.64; P < 0.001) and HCC-related death (HR 0.52; P = 0.001) in patients after surgical resection.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 1,303 adults with hepatitis B-related HCC who received curative hepatectomy at five centers between April 2014 and April 2019.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Qi W et al. Cancer Med. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4348.

Key clinical point: Patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma had increased recurrence-free survival after rHR compared to RFA, but significantly lower morbidity and shorter hospital stays with RFA compared to rHR; overall survival rates were not significantly different between groups.

Major finding: The median recurrence-free survival was longer in recurrent HCC patients treated with rHR compared to RFA (23.6 months vs 15.2 months, hazard ratio 0.76). However, RFA was significantly association with lower morbidity of grade 3 and above (0.6% vs 6.2%) and with a shorter hospital stay (8.0 days vs 3.0 days) compared to rHR.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, multicenter study including 847 HCC patients; of these, 307 underwent repeat hepatic resection (rHR) and 540 underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) between January 2003 and January 2018.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the Guangxi BaGui Scholars’ Special Fund, the Gunagxi Natural Science Foundation, and the Science Research and Technology Development Programme of Guangxi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Zhong J-H et al. Br J Surg. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znab340.

Key clinical point: Patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma had increased recurrence-free survival after rHR compared to RFA, but significantly lower morbidity and shorter hospital stays with RFA compared to rHR; overall survival rates were not significantly different between groups.

Major finding: The median recurrence-free survival was longer in recurrent HCC patients treated with rHR compared to RFA (23.6 months vs 15.2 months, hazard ratio 0.76). However, RFA was significantly association with lower morbidity of grade 3 and above (0.6% vs 6.2%) and with a shorter hospital stay (8.0 days vs 3.0 days) compared to rHR.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, multicenter study including 847 HCC patients; of these, 307 underwent repeat hepatic resection (rHR) and 540 underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) between January 2003 and January 2018.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the Guangxi BaGui Scholars’ Special Fund, the Gunagxi Natural Science Foundation, and the Science Research and Technology Development Programme of Guangxi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Zhong J-H et al. Br J Surg. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znab340.

Key clinical point: Patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma had increased recurrence-free survival after rHR compared to RFA, but significantly lower morbidity and shorter hospital stays with RFA compared to rHR; overall survival rates were not significantly different between groups.

Major finding: The median recurrence-free survival was longer in recurrent HCC patients treated with rHR compared to RFA (23.6 months vs 15.2 months, hazard ratio 0.76). However, RFA was significantly association with lower morbidity of grade 3 and above (0.6% vs 6.2%) and with a shorter hospital stay (8.0 days vs 3.0 days) compared to rHR.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective, multicenter study including 847 HCC patients; of these, 307 underwent repeat hepatic resection (rHR) and 540 underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) between January 2003 and January 2018.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the Guangxi BaGui Scholars’ Special Fund, the Gunagxi Natural Science Foundation, and the Science Research and Technology Development Programme of Guangxi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Zhong J-H et al. Br J Surg. 2021 Oct 13. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znab340.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (TRA) effectively predicted tumor necrosis in patients treated for HCC with SBRT.

Major finding: The sensitivity was 71%-86% and specificity was 85%-96% for incomplete tumor necrosis of lesions treated with SBRT when the LR-TR Equivocal category was nonviable. When the LR-TR Equivocal category was viable, sensitivity was 88%-96% and specificity was

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 40 lesions treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 26 adult patients with HCC.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Mendiratta-Lala M et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Oct 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.006.

Key clinical point: A combination of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) yielded a median of 10.6 months for progression-free survival with no treatment-related deaths over a 4- to 24-month follow-up period in advanced HCC patients.

Major finding: Combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy resulted in a median progression-free survival of 10.6 months with a median 12.9 months’ follow up; objective response rates and disease control rates were 63.0 and 92.6%, respectively.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 27 adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated between May 2019 and November 2020 in a single center. Patients received hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). 

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key R and D Program of China, the Key Projects of CSCO-Bayer Cancer Research Fund, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Liu B-J et al. Immunotherapy. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.2217/imt-2021-0192. 

Key clinical point: A combination of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) yielded a median of 10.6 months for progression-free survival with no treatment-related deaths over a 4- to 24-month follow-up period in advanced HCC patients.

Major finding: Combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy resulted in a median progression-free survival of 10.6 months with a median 12.9 months’ follow up; objective response rates and disease control rates were 63.0 and 92.6%, respectively.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 27 adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated between May 2019 and November 2020 in a single center. Patients received hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). 

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key R and D Program of China, the Key Projects of CSCO-Bayer Cancer Research Fund, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Liu B-J et al. Immunotherapy. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.2217/imt-2021-0192. 

Key clinical point: A combination of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) yielded a median of 10.6 months for progression-free survival with no treatment-related deaths over a 4- to 24-month follow-up period in advanced HCC patients.

Major finding: Combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy resulted in a median progression-free survival of 10.6 months with a median 12.9 months’ follow up; objective response rates and disease control rates were 63.0 and 92.6%, respectively.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 27 adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated between May 2019 and November 2020 in a single center. Patients received hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). 

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Key R and D Program of China, the Key Projects of CSCO-Bayer Cancer Research Fund, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Liu B-J et al. Immunotherapy. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.2217/imt-2021-0192. 

Key clinical point: Cabozatinib significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in HCC patients with ALBI grades 1 and 2 compared with placebo.

Major finding: Median overall survival in HCC patients with ALBI grade 1 was 17.5 months for in the cabozantinib group vs 11.4 months in the placebo group; median overall survival in patients with ALBI grade 2 was 8.0 months in the cabozantinib group vs 6.4 months in the placebo group.

Study details: The data come from a randomized trial of 707 adults with HCC with albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grades 1 or 2 at baseline who received 60 mg of cabozantinib daily or a placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Exelixis. Lead author Dr. Kelley disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Exelixis.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Br J Cancer. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1038/s41416-021-01532-5.

Key clinical point: Cabozatinib significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in HCC patients with ALBI grades 1 and 2 compared with placebo.

Major finding: Median overall survival in HCC patients with ALBI grade 1 was 17.5 months for in the cabozantinib group vs 11.4 months in the placebo group; median overall survival in patients with ALBI grade 2 was 8.0 months in the cabozantinib group vs 6.4 months in the placebo group.

Study details: The data come from a randomized trial of 707 adults with HCC with albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grades 1 or 2 at baseline who received 60 mg of cabozantinib daily or a placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Exelixis. Lead author Dr. Kelley disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Exelixis.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Br J Cancer. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1038/s41416-021-01532-5.

Key clinical point: Cabozatinib significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in HCC patients with ALBI grades 1 and 2 compared with placebo.

Major finding: Median overall survival in HCC patients with ALBI grade 1 was 17.5 months for in the cabozantinib group vs 11.4 months in the placebo group; median overall survival in patients with ALBI grade 2 was 8.0 months in the cabozantinib group vs 6.4 months in the placebo group.

Study details: The data come from a randomized trial of 707 adults with HCC with albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grades 1 or 2 at baseline who received 60 mg of cabozantinib daily or a placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Exelixis. Lead author Dr. Kelley disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Exelixis.

Source: Kelley RK et al. Br J Cancer. 2021 Oct 7. doi: 10.1038/s41416-021-01532-5.

Key clinical point: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging is applicable to recurrent HCC and should be used to formulate clinical stage criteria and develop treatment plans.

Major finding: The median time to tumor recurrence differed significantly among the BCLC staging groups A, B, and C (16 months, 10 months, and 6 months, respectively; P < 0.05). Median overall survival also differed significantly among groups A, B, and C (42 months, 22 months, and 13 months, respectively; P < 0.05).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective cohort study of 81 adults with recurrent HCC who were admitted to a single center between January 2013 and December 2017; they were divided into three groups based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system to compare median time to tumor recurrence and median overall survival.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Yao S-Y et al. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.8020.

Key clinical point: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging is applicable to recurrent HCC and should be used to formulate clinical stage criteria and develop treatment plans.

Major finding: The median time to tumor recurrence differed significantly among the BCLC staging groups A, B, and C (16 months, 10 months, and 6 months, respectively; P < 0.05). Median overall survival also differed significantly among groups A, B, and C (42 months, 22 months, and 13 months, respectively; P < 0.05).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective cohort study of 81 adults with recurrent HCC who were admitted to a single center between January 2013 and December 2017; they were divided into three groups based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system to compare median time to tumor recurrence and median overall survival.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Yao S-Y et al. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.8020.

Key clinical point: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging is applicable to recurrent HCC and should be used to formulate clinical stage criteria and develop treatment plans.

Major finding: The median time to tumor recurrence differed significantly among the BCLC staging groups A, B, and C (16 months, 10 months, and 6 months, respectively; P < 0.05). Median overall survival also differed significantly among groups A, B, and C (42 months, 22 months, and 13 months, respectively; P < 0.05).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective cohort study of 81 adults with recurrent HCC who were admitted to a single center between January 2013 and December 2017; they were divided into three groups based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system to compare median time to tumor recurrence and median overall survival.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Yao S-Y et al. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.8020.

Key clinical point: The CoxNet machine learning model was validated as a predictor of recurrence of HCC in patients who underwent liver transplant.

Major finding: The concordance score of the CoxNet-based recurrence prediction model was 0.75, which significantly outperformed the alpha-fetoprotein score (0.64; P = 0.04) and MORAL score (0.64; P = 0.03).

Study details: The data come from 739 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver transplants between 2000 and 2016.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ivanics T et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1002/lt.26332. 

Key clinical point: The CoxNet machine learning model was validated as a predictor of recurrence of HCC in patients who underwent liver transplant.

Major finding: The concordance score of the CoxNet-based recurrence prediction model was 0.75, which significantly outperformed the alpha-fetoprotein score (0.64; P = 0.04) and MORAL score (0.64; P = 0.03).

Study details: The data come from 739 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver transplants between 2000 and 2016.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ivanics T et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1002/lt.26332. 

Key clinical point: The CoxNet machine learning model was validated as a predictor of recurrence of HCC in patients who underwent liver transplant.

Major finding: The concordance score of the CoxNet-based recurrence prediction model was 0.75, which significantly outperformed the alpha-fetoprotein score (0.64; P = 0.04) and MORAL score (0.64; P = 0.03).

Study details: The data come from 739 adults with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver transplants between 2000 and 2016.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ivanics T et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1002/lt.26332. 

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma needed higher relative dose intensity (RDI) to achieve an objective response with lenvatinib, but the therapeutic line did not impact overall survival, time to progression, or best response.

Major finding:  RDI ≥0.8 during cycle 1 and RDI ≥0.4 during cycle 1 contributed to achievement of objective response with levatinib (odds ratio 3.28) and disease control (OR 4.85).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 100 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received first- or later-line lenvatinib between April 2018 and December 2020 in a single center; they were assessed for time to objective response, disease control, overall survival, and time to progression.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Tokunaga T et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13720.

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma needed higher relative dose intensity (RDI) to achieve an objective response with lenvatinib, but the therapeutic line did not impact overall survival, time to progression, or best response.

Major finding:  RDI ≥0.8 during cycle 1 and RDI ≥0.4 during cycle 1 contributed to achievement of objective response with levatinib (odds ratio 3.28) and disease control (OR 4.85).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 100 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received first- or later-line lenvatinib between April 2018 and December 2020 in a single center; they were assessed for time to objective response, disease control, overall survival, and time to progression.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Tokunaga T et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13720.

Key clinical point: Patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma needed higher relative dose intensity (RDI) to achieve an objective response with lenvatinib, but the therapeutic line did not impact overall survival, time to progression, or best response.

Major finding:  RDI ≥0.8 during cycle 1 and RDI ≥0.4 during cycle 1 contributed to achievement of objective response with levatinib (odds ratio 3.28) and disease control (OR 4.85).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 100 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received first- or later-line lenvatinib between April 2018 and December 2020 in a single center; they were assessed for time to objective response, disease control, overall survival, and time to progression.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Tokunaga T et al. Hepatol Res. 2021 Oct 9. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13720.