scholarly journals Avelumab in Combination with Axitinib as First-Line Treatment in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results from the Phase 1b VEGF Liver 100 Trial

Liver Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Kudo ◽  
Kenta Motomura ◽  
Yoshiyuki Wada ◽  
Yoshitaka Inaba ◽  
Yasunari Sakamoto ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Combining an immune checkpoint inhibitor with a targeted antiangiogenic agent may leverage complementary mechanisms of action for the treatment of advanced/metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). Avelumab is a human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 antibody with clinical activity in various tumor types; axitinib is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3. We report the final analysis from VEGF Liver 100 (NCT03289533), a phase 1b study evaluating safety and efficacy of avelumab plus axitinib in treatment-naive patients with aHCC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eligible patients had confirmed aHCC, no prior systemic therapy, ≥1 measurable lesion, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1, and Child-Pugh class A disease. Patients received avelumab 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks plus axitinib 5 mg orally twice daily until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Endpoints included safety and investigator-assessed objective response per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and modified RECIST (mRECIST) for HCC. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-two Japanese patients were enrolled and treated with avelumab plus axitinib. The minimum follow-up was 18 months as of October 25, 2019 (data cutoff). Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 16 patients (72.7%); the most common (≥3 patients) were hypertension (<i>n</i> = 11 [50.0%]), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (<i>n</i> = 5 [22.7%]), and decreased appetite (<i>n</i> = 3 [13.6%]). No grade 4 TRAEs or treatment-related deaths occurred. Ten patients (45.5%) had an immune-related AE (irAE) of any grade; 3 patients (13.6%) had an infusion-related reaction (IRR) of any grade, and no grade ≥3 irAE and IRR were observed. The objective response rate was 13.6% (95% CI: 2.9–34.9%) per RECIST 1.1 and 31.8% (95% CI: 13.9–54.9%) per mRECIST for HCC. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Treatment with avelumab plus axitinib was associated with a manageable toxicity profile and showed antitumor activity in patients with aHCC.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4072-4072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Kudo ◽  
Kenta Motomura ◽  
Yoshiyuki Wada ◽  
Yoshitaka Inaba ◽  
Yasunari Sakamoto ◽  
...  

4072 Background: Combining an immune checkpoint inhibitor with a targeted antiangiogenic agent may leverage complementary mechanisms of action for treatment of advanced/metastatic (a/m) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Avelumab is a human anti–PD-L1 IgG1 antibody with clinical activity in various tumor types; axitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor selective for VEGF receptors 1/2/3. VEGF Liver 100 (NCT03289533) is a phase 1b study evaluating safety and efficacy of avelumab + axitinib in treatment-naive patients (pts) with HCC; interim results are reported here. Methods: Eligible pts had confirmed a/m HCC, ≥1 measurable lesion, a fresh or archival tumor specimen, ECOG PS ≤1, and Child-Pugh class A. Pts received avelumab 10 mg/kg IV Q2W + axitinib 5 mg orally BID until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Endpoints included safety and objective response (RECIST v1.1; modified [m] RECIST for HCC). Results: Interim assessment was performed after a minimum follow up of 6 months based on the released study data set (clinical cut-off date: Aug 1, 2018). As of the cut-off date, 22 pts (median age: 68.5 y) were treated with avelumab (median: 20.0 wk) and axitinib (median: 19.9 wk). The most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) (≥10% of patients) were hypertension (50.0%) and hand-foot syndrome (22.7%); no grade 4/5 TRAEs were reported. Immune-related AEs (irAEs) (≥10% of pts) were hypothyroidism (31.8%) and hyperthyroidism (13.6%). No grade ≥3 irAEs were reported; no pts discontinued treatment due to TRAEs or irAEs. Based on Waterfall plot calculations, tumor shrinkage was observed in 15 (68.2%) and 16 (72.7%) pts by RECIST and mRECIST, respectively. ORR was 13.6% (95% CI, 2.9%-34.9%) and 31.8% (95% CI, 13.9%-54.9%) by RECIST and mRECIST, respectively. OS data were immature at data cutoff. Conclusions: The preliminary safety of avelumab + axitinib in HCC is manageable and consistent with the known safety profiles of avelumab and axitinib when administered as monotherapies. This study demonstrates antitumor activity of the combination in HCC. Follow-up is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03289533. [Table: see text]


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (30) ◽  
pp. 3960-3967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Pawlik ◽  
Diane K. Reyes ◽  
David Cosgrove ◽  
Ihab R. Kamel ◽  
Nikhil Bhagat ◽  
...  

Purpose To evaluate safety and efficacy of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEB) and sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and Methods A prospective single-center phase II study was undertaken involving patients with unresectable HCC. The protocol involved sorafenib 400 mg twice per day combined with DEB-TACE. Safety and response were assessed. Results DEB-TACE in combination with sorafenib was successfully administered in 35 patients: mean age, 63 years; Child's A, 89%; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C, 64%; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 and 1, 46% and 54%, respectively; and mean index tumor size, 7.7 cm (standard deviation, ± 4.2 cm). Patients underwent 128 cycles of therapy (sorafenib plus DEB-TACE, 60 cycles; sorafenib alone, 68 cycles). Median number of cycles per patient was two (range, one to five cycles); median number of days treated with sorafenib was 71 (range, 4 to 620 days). The most common toxicities during cycle one were fatigue (94%), anorexia (67%), alterations in liver enzymes (64%), and dermatologic adverse effects (48%). Although most patients experienced at least one grade 3 to 4 toxicity, most toxicities were minor (grade 1 to 2, 83% v grade 3 to 4, 17%). Toxicity during cycle two was decreased. Over the course of the study, there were 40 sorafenib dose interruptions and 25 sorafenib dose reductions. Sorafenib plus DEB-TACE was associated with a disease control rate of 95% (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group)/100% (European Association for the Study of the Liver [EASL]), with an objective response of 58% (EASL). Conclusion The combination of sorafenib and DEB-TACE in patients with unresectable HCC is well tolerated and safe, with most toxicities related to sorafenib. Toxicity is manageable with dose adjustment of sorafenib. Preliminary efficacy data are promising.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16121-e16121
Author(s):  
Yong-Yi Zeng ◽  
Wu-hua Guo ◽  
Zhibo Zhang ◽  
Xi Shi ◽  
Yongjie Su ◽  
...  

e16121 Background: Programmed cell death protein‐1(PD-1) targeted immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Anti-PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab showed antitumour activity in phase II studies of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with manageable toxicities. This study evaluates safety and efficacy of camrelizumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This is a multicentre, real‐world trial done at thirty-three centres in Fujian Province, China. Eligible patients were aged 18 to 75 years was diagnosed by China Liver Cancer Staging(CNLC) 2019 clinical diagnostic criteria or with a histological or cytological diagnosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, unresectable or had progressed on or were intolerant to previous systemic treatment, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0-1. Patients were received camrelizumab 200 mg intravenously every 2 weeks plus other treatments, such as molecular targeted drug, transcatheyer artetial chemoembolization, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival. Safety was analysed in all treated patients. Follow-up is ongoing. Results: Between Mar 12, 2020, and Dec 25, 2020, 63 patients were screened for eligibility, of whom 41 eligible patients received camrelizumab were recruited and among whom 15 received apatinib, 16 received lenvatinib, 2 received sorafenib and 1 received regorafenib. Median followup was 5.28 months (IQR 1.63–10.20). Objective response was reported in 12 (29.3%; 95% CI 16.1–45.5) of 41 patients. Disease control was reported in 34 (82.9%; 95% CI 67.9–92.8) of 41 patients. The median PFS was not reached, and expected more than 9 months. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 21 (51.2%) of 41 patients; the most common were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (15 [36.6%]) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (7 [17%]). One death was judged by the investigators to be potentially treatment-related (due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding). Conclusions: Camrelizumab showed promising efficacy and safety in pretreated Chinese patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, and might represent a new treatment option for these patients. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2000041405. Research Sponsor: Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2000041405.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS4160-TPS4160
Author(s):  
Wenge Xing ◽  
Zhi Guo

TPS4160 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer in the world, a leading cause of cancer-related death, and especially in China. Most of the HCC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and require a multidisciplinary approach. The IMbrave 50 trial has reported the successful efficacy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, which indicate the potential efficacy of combination of immunotherapy and antiangiogenesis therapy in HCC patients. In some studies, the combinatorial approaches with immunotherapy and liver directed therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and cryoablation are explored. Most combined interventional therapies reveal their enormous advantages as compared with any single therapeutic regimen alone, which may result from the immunologic enhancement effect of the multimodel therapy. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined therapy with camrelizumab plus apatinib mesylate and TACE plus cryoablation in patients with advanced HCC. Methods: This study was an open-label, single-arm, single centre, phase 2 trial in patients who were diagnosed with advanced HCC. Patients who meet the following criterias will be enrolled: (1) 18 - 75 years old; (2) Child-Pugh classification A or B(≤7);(3) Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B or C, or China liver cancer staging (CNLC) stage IIb̃IIIa; (4) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score of 0–1; (5) no history of previous systematic treatment; (6) expected life expectancy of more than 12 weeks; (7) adequate organs function. The key exclusion criteria were history of active autoimmune disease, or concurrent medical use of immunosuppressive medications or immunosuppressive doses of systemic corticosteroids. Eligible patients received camrelizumab 200 mg intravenously every 2 weeks and apatinib 250 mg orally once per day continuously in a treatment cycle of 4 weeks, treatment continued until 1 year or development of unacceptable toxicity or progression of disease. TACE was administrated at the first treatment cycles on day 1or 2, the chemotherapy regimens included 100-150mg oxaliplatin, 750-1000mg fluorouracil, or 30-50 mg lobaplatin, raltitrexed 2-4mg, and epirubicin 40-80 mg. Two or three weeks after the TACE, percutaneous cryoablation was performed under CT guidance. TACE and cryoablation was given as combination therapy and the periods were assessed by the investigator. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (complete or partial response according to mRECIST) and Progression-Free-Survival (Time ranges from random to the first occurrence of disease progression or death from any cause). This trial is registered with Chinese Clinical Trials Registry, ChiCTR2100043044, and is ongoing. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2100043044.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 611-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuomi Ueshima ◽  
Naoshi Nishida ◽  
Masatoshi Kudo

Objectives: Previously, no therapeutic agent has been known to improve the overall survival compared with placebo in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who have progressed after sorafenib. In this patient population, regorafenib was first demonstrated to confer a survival benefit in the RESORCE trial, and subsequently it was approved as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC. An open-label expanded access program (EAP) of regorafenib was implemented for compassionate use. We investigated the efficacy and safety of regorafenib based on our experience of the RESORCE trial and the EAP. Methods: Data from 5 patients from the RESORCE trial and 6 from the EAP were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had tolerated prior sorafenib and were progressing during sorafenib treatment. Results: The median progression-free survival was 9.2 months (95% CI 2.3-16.1). One patient achieved a partial response and 7 achieved stable disease. The objective response rate was 9.1%, and the disease control rate was 72.7%. No treatment-associated mortalities were observed. Grade 3 hypophosphatemia was observed in 2 patients, grade 2 anorexia was observed in 5 patients, and grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 2 patients. Grade 2 and grade 3 thrombocytopenia were observed in 2 and 3 patients, respectively. All treatment-related adverse events were improved by reduction or interruption of regorafenib. Five patients showed decreased serum albumin levels. Conclusion: Sorafenib and regorafenib sequential therapy presents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with advanced HCC.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie B. Thomas ◽  
Jeffrey S. Morris ◽  
Romil Chadha ◽  
Michiko Iwasaki ◽  
Harmeet Kaur ◽  
...  

Purpose The study objective was to determine the proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with the combination of bevacizumab (B) and erlotinib (E) who were alive and progression free at 16 weeks (16-week progression-free survival [PFS16]) of continuous therapy. Secondary objectives included response rate, median PFS, survival, and toxicity. Patients and Methods Patients who had advanced HCC that was not amenable to surgical or regional therapies, up to one prior systemic treatment; Childs-Pugh score A or B liver function; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0, 1, or 2 received B 10 mg/kg every 14 days and E 150 mg orally daily, continuously, for 28-day cycles. Tumor response was evaluated every 2 cycles by using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group criteria. A total of 40 patients were treated. Results The primary end point of PFS16 was 62.5%. Ten patients achieved a partial response for a confirmed overall response rate (intent-to-treat) of 25%. The median PFSevent was 39 weeks (95% CI, 26 to 45 weeks; 9.0 months), and the median overall survival was 68 weeks (95% CI, 48 to 78 weeks; 15.65 months). Grades 3 to 4 drug-related toxicity included fatigue (n = 8; 20%), hypertension (n = 6; 15%), diarrhea (n = 4; 10%) elevated transaminases (n = 4; 10%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n = 5; 12.5%), wound infection (n = 2; 5%) thrombocytopenia (n = 1; 2.5%), and proteinuria, hyperbilirubinemia, back pain, hyperkalemia, and anorexia (n = 1 each). Conclusion The combination of B + E in patients who had advanced HCC showed significant, clinically meaningful antitumor activity. B + E warrant additional evaluation in randomized controlled trials.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Labenz ◽  
Vera Prenosil ◽  
Sandra Koch ◽  
Yvonne Huber ◽  
Jens U. Marquardt ◽  
...  

Background/Aim: Individual components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) such as obesity or diabetes mellitus impair the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following curative treatment approaches or transarterial therapies. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of these factors on the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. Methods: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the impact of individual components of the MS on the OS of 152 consecutive patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. Results: The presence of overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and of the MS itself did not impair the median OS. Multivariate analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status ≥1 (hazards ratio [HR] 2.03), presence of macrovascular invasion (HR 1.71), Child-Pugh score B/C (HR 2.19), tumor grading G3 (HR 2.17), no prior HCC treatment (HR 2.34), and the presence of 2 or more out of 5 individual components of the MS (HR 0.65) were independent prognostic factors regarding the median OS. Conclusions: Our investigations do not confirm a negative prognostic role of individual components of the MS or the MS itself for patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5583-5583
Author(s):  
Wei Wei ◽  
Xiaohua Ban ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Yongwen Huang ◽  
Jibin Li ◽  
...  

5583 Background: Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies in the world. however, the effects of systemic chemotherapy are limited. The combination of targeted therapy with immunotherapy is a new research field in the treatment of malignant tumors. Anlotinib is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor with highly selective inhibition effects on multi-targets, especially on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, Platelet-derived growth factor receptor and Fibroblast growth factor receptor. Sintilimab is a highly selective, fully humanized, monoclonal antibody, which blocks the interaction between Programmed death 1 and its ligands. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of anotinib and sintilimab in patients with recurrent advanced endometrial cancer. Methods: Patients who received at least one platinum-based systemic chemotherapy, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were considered eligible for enrollment. Sintilimab was administered intravenously (200mg,q3w); anlotinib was taken orally (12mg qd, d1-14, 21 days per cycle). The treatment was continued until disease progression, death or intolerant toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary endpoints included duration of response, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival and safety. Results: From November 2019 to to September 2020, 23 patients with a median age of 56 years (range: 37-70), FIGO stage IA (21.7%), IB (8.7%), II (4.4%), IIIA (13.1%),IIIC (30.4%), IVB (21.7%) were enrolled. Among these participants, 22 patients were evaluable. The therapeutic evaluation showed the incidence of complete response, partial response, stable disease and progression disease was 13.6%, 63.7%, 13.6% and 9.1% respectively, yielding the ORR of 77.3% (95%CI: 58.3%-96.3%) and the DCR of 91.7% (95%CI: 79.8%-100%). ≥1 and <1 Combined Positive Score of PD-L1 expression were observed in 66.7% (14/21) and 33.3% (7/21) patients respectively, and the ORR was 92.9% (95%CI: 77.4%-100%) and 57.1% (95%CI: 18.4%-90.1%) in the two groups. The median time of the first response was 1.5 months (range, 0.7-12.8). The median PFS was not reached. Most of the occurring adverse events (AEs) were grade 1 or 2. Grade 3 AEs included ileus (4.3%), immune myocarditis (4.3%) immune peritonitis (4.3%), hand-foot syndrome (8.7%), neutropenia (4.3%), neutrophils decrease (4.3%), and hypertension (4.3%); Grade 4 AE was lymphocytosis (4.3%). Neither unexpected safety signals nor treatment-related death occurred. Conclusions: Anlotinib plus sintilimab showed a promising antitumor activity with a favorable toxicity profile for patients with recurrent advanced endometrial cancer. We will report more data in the future. Clinical trial information: NCT04157491.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (19) ◽  
pp. 1898-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahsun Riaz ◽  
Robert Lewandowski ◽  
Riad Salem

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors’ suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice. A 68-year-old man with a remote history of alcohol abuse presented with vague abdominal pain. A review of systems suggested the patient had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1 (restriction of strenuous physical activity). There were no physical examination findings of note. Laboratory studies disclosed Child-Pugh A liver status (no ascites; no encephalopathy; total bilirubin, 1 mg/dL; albumin, 3.5 g/dL; and international normalized rato, 1.2). The alpha-fetoprotein was mildly elevated (19.5 ng/mL). Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast disclosed an infiltrative mass with extensive malignant right and left portal vein thrombosis ( Fig 1A ) with cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The infiltrative mass ( Fig 2A ) was biopsied, revealing hepatocellular carcinoma. No distant metastases were found on a bone scintigraphy or computerized tomography scan. Given these features, this patient was classified as Barcelona Clinic for Liver Cancer stage C. The patient was referred for management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 339-339
Author(s):  
S. Lee ◽  
S. Yoon ◽  
S. Shin ◽  
H. Choi

339 Background: Prior to the sorafenib era, most of the advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients had to rely only on conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. But the introduction of sorafenib in 2008 had given HCC patients additional option for their treatment. However, given that sorafenib has been a nonreimbursable drug under the Korea public health system, most of treatment strategy has largely been determined by patients' affordability of the drug rather than by difference in efficacy and toxicity of the two treatments. Therefore, we compared the efficacy and toxicity of the two treatments by observing HCC patients. Methods: From January 2002 to December 2009, 173 patients with unresectable HCC had been retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 44 (25.4%) had been treated with sorafenib and the remaining had received cytotoxic chemotherapy. We evaluated objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity profiles. Results: The median OS of sorafenib group was 23.0 weeks (95% CI, 8.1-37.9) vs. 43.6 weeks (95% CI, 34.0-37.9) for cytotoxic chemotherapy group. The median PFS for sorafenib group was 11.1 weeks (95% CI, 6.5-15.8) versus 12.4 weeks (95% CI, 8.1-16.7) for cytotoxic chemotherapy group. However, the difference in both findings had not been statistically significant (p=0.105 and p=0.496, respectively). ORR and DCR for sorafenib group were 2.3% and 52.3% versus 6.2% and 43.4% for cytotoxic chemotherapy group, respectively. Patients treated with chemotherapy had shown higher frequencies of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 19.7%, (vs. 0% for sorafenib). However, the group with sorafenib had reported a higher rate of all grade dermatologic toxicities such as hand-foot skin reaction, rash and pruritus. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates that efficacy of conventional chemotherapy is not inferior to that of sorafenib. Further research including novel target agent and cytotoxic chemotherapy is needed to improve clinical outcomes for advanced HCC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document