scholarly journals Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMO.S7633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengyu Wei ◽  
Cataldo Doria ◽  
Yuan Liu

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death. It has been a major worldwide health problem with more new cases being diagnosed each year. The current available therapies for patients with advanced HCC are extremely limited. Therefore, it is of great clinical interests to develop more effective therapies for systemic treatment of advanced HCC. Several promising target-based drugs have been tested in a number of clinical trials. One breakthrough of these efforts is the approved clinical use of sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC. Targeted therapies are becoming an attractive option for the treatment of advanced HCC. In this review, we summarize the most recent progress in clinical targeted treatments of advanced HCC.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS357-TPS357
Author(s):  
Thomas Enzler ◽  
Neehar Parikh ◽  
Chih-Yi Liao ◽  
Aparna Kalyan ◽  
David Hsieh ◽  
...  

TPS357 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. HCC typically develops in patients with cirrhosis and has a 5-year survival estimate of 20%. Only patients with early stage disease may be eligible for a curative approach using local treatment and/or transplant. The majority of patient present with advanced HCC and will require systemic treatment for disease control. Several systemic therapies are FDA-approved for the treatment of HCC; however, they are only approved for patients with Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis. There are limited data and no approved second-line therapy for HCC with more advanced cirrhosis, including Child-Pugh class B, which represents a significant proportion of patients. The aim of this trial is to determine the safety and efficacy of cabozantinib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, in patients with HCC with Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis. Methods: This investigator-initiated, phase I/II study is enrolling 32 patients with advanced HCC, Child-Pugh B7 or B8, who have previously received first-line systemic treatment. Patients receive cabozantinib at one of 3 dose levels (20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg) with a starting dose level of 40 mg to evaluate the safety profile and obtain the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The primary endpoint is assessment of dose-limiting toxicity with a null hypothesis greater than 35%. Secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1, PFS, OS, and PK profile. Exploratory endpoints include whole exome/RNAseq analysis (including MET, VEGF, AXL, and immune signature), spatial profiling of immune markers by multiplex immunofluorescence, and specimen banking (tissue, blood and imaging). The trial design is based on the Time-To-Event modification of the Continual Reassessment Method (TiTE-CRM), which allows for continued monitoring of toxicity as a function of a dose-over-time, and is flexible with regard to the number of patients treated at a certain dose. The trial is open at University of Michigan as lead and coordinating site, and due to open at 3 additional high-volume centers. Clinical trial information: 04497038.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5232
Author(s):  
Jun Gong ◽  
Jeremy Chuang ◽  
May Cho ◽  
Kyra Toomey ◽  
Andrew Hendifar ◽  
...  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. While significant advances have been made for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in the past few years, the prognosis remains poor and effective biomarkers to guide selection of therapies remain noticeably absent. However, several targeted therapies have been approved in the past few years that have improved the outlook for this disease. In this review, we will highlight the recent therapies approved for the treatment of advanced HCC and discuss promising therapeutic options, targets, and pathways for drug development and consideration for future clinical trials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Sum Lung Wong ◽  
Gerry Gin Wai Kwok ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Bryan Cho Wing Li ◽  
Roland Leung ◽  
...  

BackgroundProgrammed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway blockade with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a standard therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nowadays. No strategies to overcome ICI resistance have been described. We aimed to evaluate the use of ipilimumab and anti-PD-1 ICIs (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) combinations in patients with advanced HCC with progression on prior ICIs.MethodsPatients with advanced HCC with documented tumor progression on prior ICIs and subsequently received ipilimumab with nivolumab/pembrolizumab were analyzed. Objective response rate (ORR), median duration of response (DOR), time-to-progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were assessed.ResultsTwenty-five patients were included. The median age was 62 (range: 51–83). About 68% were of Child-Pugh (CP) Grade A and 48% had primary resistance to prior ICI. At median follow-up of 37.7 months, the ORR was 16% with a median DOR of 11.5 months (range: 2.76–30.3). Three patients achieved complete response. The median TTP was 2.96 months (95% CI: 1.61 to 4.31). Median OS was 10.9 months (95% CI: 3.99 to 17.8) and the 1 year, 2 year and 3 year survival rates were 42.4%, 32.3% and 21.6%, respectively. The ORR was 16.7% in primary resistance group and 15.4% in acquired resistance group (p=1.00). All responders were of CP A and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) Grade 1 or 2. CP and ALBI Grades were significantly associated with OS (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). Overall, 52% of patients experienced TRAEs and 12% experienced Grade 3 or above TRAEs.ConclusionsIpilimumab and nivolumab/pembrolizumab can achieve durable antitumor activity and encouraging survival outcomes with acceptable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC who had prior treatment with ICIs.


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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 224-231
Author(s):  
Richard T. Lee ◽  
Peiying Yang ◽  
Asrar Alahmadi ◽  
Jennifer McQuade ◽  
Eric Yuan ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, and for advanced HCC the prognosis is poor. Preliminary studies indicate mistletoe extracts may have anticancer activity for HCC. Methods: A prospective observational case series of advanced HCC patients that chose to take a mistletoe extract called viscum fraxini-2 (VF-2) alone for treatment. Time on treatment, imaging, and laboratory values were collected for descriptive analyses. Results: A total of 12 patients with advanced HCC enrolled onto the protocol, and 10 patients had data available for evaluation. The majority were male (10/12) with a median age of 64 (SD 11). Most patients had received sorafenib therapy (9/12) and had varying Child-Pugh classes (A-4, B-6, C-2). Treatment with VF-2 ranged from 1 to 36 weeks with a mean of 12.3 weeks (SD 12). Six patients received 8 weeks of treatment, and 3 patients received 12 or more weeks of treatment. For patients that received at least 4 weeks of treatment, the average AFP value stabilized during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Two patients experienced an AFP decrease of >30%, approximately 37 and 40% decreases at the nadir. One patient had stable disease of 9 months. Major side effects were fever, fatigue, rash, and local injection site reaction of swelling, redness, and tenderness. Conclusion: This case series of advanced HCC indicates that mistletoe extract VF-2 may have potential biological activity against HCC for selected patients. Research is needed to identify the active compound and predictive markers of response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Lin Yang ◽  
Mau-Shin Chi ◽  
Hui-Ling Ko ◽  
Yi-Ying Huang ◽  
Su-Chen Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To investigate maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of axitinib, a selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1–3 inhibitor, in combination with radiotherapy (RT) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This phase I study followed the rule of traditional 3 + 3 design. Major eligibility included: (1) patients with advanced HCC unsuitable for surgery, radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization, or who failed after prior local–regional treatment; (2) failure on sorafenib or no grant for sorafenib from health insurance system. Eligible patients with advanced HCC received axitinib for total 8 weeks during and after RT. Three cohorts with axitinib dose escalation were planned: 1 mg twice daily (level I), 2 mg twice daily (level II) and 3 mg twice daily (level III). The prescribed doses of RT ranged from 37.5 to 67.5 Gy in 15 fractions to liver tumor(s) and were determined based on an upper limit of mean liver dose of 18 Gy (intended isotoxic RT for normal liver). The primary endpoint was MTD of axitinib in combination with RT. The secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), RT in-field response rate, acute and late toxicities, overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Results Total nine eligible patients received axitinib dose levels of 1 mg twice daily (n = 3), 2 mg twice daily (n = 3) and 3 mg twice daily (n = 3). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) did not occur in the 3 cohorts; the MTD was defined as 3 mg twice daily in this study. ORR was 66.7%, including 3 complete responses and 3 partial responses, at 3 months after treatment initiation. With a median follow-up of 16.6 months, median OS was not reached, 1-year OS was 66.7%, and median PFS was 7.4 months. Conclusions Axitinib in combination with RT for advanced HCC was well tolerated with an axitinib MTD of 3 mg twice daily in this study. The outcome analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the small total cohort. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02814461), Registered June 27, 2016—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02814461


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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 734-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huei-Lung Liang ◽  
Jer-Shyung Huang ◽  
Yi-Huei Lin ◽  
Kwok-Hung Lai ◽  
Chien-Fang Yang ◽  
...  

Background: A permanent reservoir implantation is considered mandatory for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since treatment sessions of HAIC may be limited for these end-staged patients, a simple alternative technique for this treatment is desirable. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of placing a temporary catheter for HAIC in advanced HCC patients. Material and Methods: 25 advanced HCC patients underwent HAIC with drugs delivered from a temporary catheter which was placed percutaneously by puncturing the left subclavian artery under ultrasound guidance. A course of chemotherapy consisted of five consecutive daily infusions of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, mitomycin C, and leucovorin. The catheter was removed on the 6th day. Therapy was repeated every 4–6 weeks with maximal number of courses of up to six. The total courses of HAIC in each patient, the catheter-placed-related complications, tumor response rate, and median survival of the patients were registered. Results: A total of 77 courses of HAIC were performed with 100% technical success of catheter placement (1–6 courses in each patient, average 3.1 courses). The overall response rate was 20%, with complete response in two patients and partial response in three patients. Eleven (55%) of the 20 non-responders died within 5 months (mean HAIC, two courses). None of the patients experienced complications such as catheter occlusion, hepatic arterial thrombosis, cerebral infarction, or local infection. Conclusion: With fewer catheter-related complications, HAIC by temporary catheter placement via subclavian puncture could be a treatment option.


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