Indolent cancer and pattern of progression: Two missing parameters in trial design for hepatology

Hepatic Recompensation Before Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Yields Comparable Survival to Compensated Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The survival outcomes associated with hepatic recompensation in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with first-line systemic therapies remain unclear. We compared survival from the initiation of first-line systemic treatments for advanced HCC among patients with compensated, decompensated, and recompensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

A Latin American multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted from 2018 to 2024, involving patients with HCC and Child-Pugh class A or B who received systemic therapy. At the time of first-line therapy, patients with cirrhosis were categorised as compensated (never decompensated), decompensated, or recompensated. Cox proportional hazards models were estimated.

RESULTS

Among 306 patients receiving first-line systemic therapy (sorafenib: 60.5%, atezolizumab + bevacizumab: 29.7%, lenvatinib: 9.1%), 240 had cirrhosis, with 30.4% having a history of hepatic decompensation. Of these, 57.5% (95% CI 45.4%-69.0%) achieved hepatic recompensation over a median period of 12 months. At the time of first-line therapy, 69.6% were compensated, 17.5% recompensated, and 12.9% decompensated. Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was the most common underlying aetiology in the recompensated group. Median survival was significantly shorter in the decompensated group (8.6 months) compared to the compensated group (17.2 months) [aHR 1.91 (95% CI 1.04-3.5); p = 0.03], without a significant difference between the recompensated and compensated groups [aHR 1.28 (95% CI 0.79-2.1); p = 0.31]. Tumour progression was the primary reason for treatment discontinuation, and similar access to second-line therapies was observed between the compensated and recompensated groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis and advanced HCC who achieved hepatic recompensation might benefit from systemic therapies after a cautious observation period.

Navigating the landscape of liver cancer management: Study designs in clinical trials and clinical practice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its prognosis is highly heterogeneous, being related not only to tumour burden but also to the severity of underlying chronic liver disease. Moreover, advances in systemic therapies for HCC have increased the complexity of patient management. Randomised-controlled trials represent the gold standard for evidence generation across all areas of medicine and especially in the oncology field, as they allow for unbiased estimates of treatment effect without confounders. Observational studies have many problems that could reduce their internal and external validity. However, large prospective (well-conducted) observational real-world studies can detect rare adverse events or monitor the occurrence of long-term adverse events. How best to harness real world data, which refers to data generated from the routine care of patients, and real-world 'evidence', which is the evidence generated from real-world data, represents an open challenge. In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of the benefits and limitations of different study designs, particularly focusing on randomised-controlled trials and observational studies, to address important and not fully resolved questions in HCC research.

Systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma: A revolution?

The evolution in systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) signifies a strategy of high-cost, high-gain innovation that originated with sorafenib, despite its limited impact on tumor response. This strategic approach paved the way for the emergence of a second wave of the short-lived competitive advantage, exemplified by the incorporation of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and tremelimumab plus durvalumab. In the context of safety concerns within the liver cancer domain, the IMBRAVE150 and HIMALAYA trials boldly incorporated bevacizumab and tremelimumab, respectively, demonstrating the continuation of the high-risk, high-reward innovation paradigm. This review delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of systemic therapies in the field of HCC.

Multidisciplinary Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 2023: Italian practice Treatment Guidelines of the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF), Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Italian Association of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery (AICEP), Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists (AIGO), Italian Association of Radiology and Clinical Oncology (AIRO), Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytology (SIAPeC-IAP), Italian Society of Surgery (SIC), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), Italian Organ Transplant Society (SITO), and Association of Patients with Hepatitis and Liver Disease (EpaC) - Part I - Surgical treatments

Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. The remarkable improvements in treating HCC achieved in the last years have increased the complexity of HCC management. Following the need to have updated guidelines on the multidisciplinary treatment management of HCC, the Italian Scientific Societies involved in the management of this cancer have promoted the drafting of a new dedicated document. This document was drawn up according to the GRADE methodology needed to produce guidelines based on evidence. Here is presented the first part of guidelines, focused on the multidisciplinary tumor board of experts and surgical treatments of HCC.