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Garcia P, Wang Y, Viallet J, Mehdi NEH, Montaut E, Decaens T, Emadali A, Macek Jílková Z. Liver cancer in ovo models for preclinical testing. FASEB J 2024; 38:e70029. [PMID: 39215630 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202401416r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although more than 70% of patients still do not respond to this first-line treatment. Many new combination strategies are currently being explored, which drastically increases the need for preclinical models that would allow large-scale testing of new immunotherapies and their combinations. We developed several in ovo (in the egg) human liver cancer models, based on human tumor xenografts of different liver cancer cell lines on the chicken embryo's chorioallantoic membrane. We characterized the angiogenesis, as well as the collagen accumulation and tumor immune microenvironment, and tested atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) plus bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) treatment. Our results show the involvement of chicken immune cells in tumor growth, reproducing a classical non-inflamed "cold" as well as inflamed "hot" tumor status, depending on the in ovo liver cancer model. The treatment by atezolizumab and bevacizumab was highly efficient in the "hot" tumor model PLC/PRF/5 in ovo with the reduction of tumor size by 76% (p ≤ .0001) compared with the control, whereas the efficacy was limited in the "cold" Hep3B in ovo tumor. The contribution of the anti-PD-L1 blockade to the anti-tumoral effect in the PLC/PRF/5 in ovo model was demonstrated by the efficacy of atezolizumab monotherapy (p = .0080, compared with the control). To conclude, our study provides a detailed characterization and rational arguments that could help to partially replace conventional laboratory animals with a more ethical model, suited to the current needs of preclinical research of new immunotherapies for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Garcia
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- R&D Department, Inovotion, La Tronche, France
| | - Yan Wang
- R&D Department, Inovotion, La Tronche, France
| | | | - Nour El Houda Mehdi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Emilie Montaut
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Pôle Recherche, CHU Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Service d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, CHU Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Anouk Emadali
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Pôle Recherche, CHU Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Zuzana Macek Jílková
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Service d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, CHU Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
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Nandy K, Patkar S, Varty G, Shah T, Pawar A, Goel M. Tumor burden score as a prognostic factor in patients with intermediate and locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection: an attempt to extend resectability criteria. HPB (Oxford) 2024; 26:1180-1189. [PMID: 38880720 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery is currently recommended as a curative treatment option for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) belonging to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A only. This study aims to classify various BCLC groups as per Tumor Burden Score (TBS) in an attempt to identify patients who could benefit from resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all patients operated for HCC between January 2010 and July 2022 was performed. TBS was defined as, TBS2 = (maximum tumor diameter)2 + (number of tumors)2. RESULTS Two hundred and ninety-one patients who underwent resection were staged as per the latest BCLC (A = 219, B = 45, C = 27) staging. Patients were segregated into low (<7.3) and high (>7.3) TBS. With a median follow-up of 36.2 months, the median OS for stages, A and B in the low TBS group was 107.4 and 42.7 months respectively. Median OS was not reached for patients in the BCLC C stage. In patients with high TBS, the median OS for BCLC A, B and C was 42.3, 25.72, and 16.9 months respectively. CONCLUSION TBS is a significant factor influencing survival in patients of HCC. TBS can be used to stratify patients in BCLC B and C stages and help select patients who would benefit from surgical resection to achieve good long-term survival with acceptable morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Nandy
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shraddha Patkar
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Gurudutt Varty
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tanvi Shah
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Akash Pawar
- Clinical Research Secretariat, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mahesh Goel
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Himmelsbach V, Jeschke M, Lange CM, Scheiner B, Pinter M, Sinner F, Venerito M, Queck A, Trojan J, Waidmann O, Finkelmeier F. Systemic Treatment of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Transplantation: A Multicenter Trial. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2442. [PMID: 39001504 PMCID: PMC11240676 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sorafenib and lenvatinib represent the first-line systemic therapy of choice for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). Under sorafenib and lenvatinib, HCC patients have shown increasingly improved overall survival in clinical studies over the years. In contrast, data on overall survival for patients with HCC recurrence after LT under TKIs are scarce and limited to small retrospective series. In this retrospective, multicenter study, we investigated the efficacy of TKI therapy and the influence of immunosuppression in patients with HCC recurrence after LT. METHODS Retrospective data were collected from four transplant centers from Germany and Austria. We included patients with HCC recurrence after LT between 2007 and 2020 who were treated with a TKI. RESULTS In total, we analyzed data from 46 patients with HCC recurrence after LT. The most common underlying liver disease was hepatitis C, accounting for 52.2%. The median time to relapse was 11.8 months (range 0-117.7 months). The liver graft was affected in 21 patients (45.7%), and 36 patients (78.3%) had extrahepatic metastases at initial diagnosis of recurrence, with the lung being the most commonly affected (n = 25, 54.3%). Of the total, 54.3% (n = 25) of the patients were initially treated locally; 39 (85.8%) and 7 (15.2%) patients received sorafenib and lenvatinib, respectively, as first-line systemic therapy. Median overall survival of the whole cohort was 10.9 months (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6.9-14.9 months) and median progression free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI 2.0-9.4 months) from treatment initiation. CONCLUSION Since history of liver transplantation is considered a contraindication for immunotherapy, prognosis of patients with HCC recurrence after LT remains poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Himmelsbach
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Matthias Jeschke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian M. Lange
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Liver Cancer (HCC) Study Group Vienna, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Liver Cancer (HCC) Study Group Vienna, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Friedrich Sinner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von Guericke University Hospital, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marino Venerito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von Guericke University Hospital, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Queck
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jörg Trojan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Oliver Waidmann
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Center of Hematology and Oncology Bethanien, 60389 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fabian Finkelmeier
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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Lucas AP, Lewis AR, Kasi PM, Toskich BB, Paz-Fumagalli R. Abscopal downstaging of intermediate stage hepatocellular via combination cryoablation and immunotherapy with complete pathologic response. Radiol Case Rep 2024; 19:910-914. [PMID: 38188944 PMCID: PMC10770505 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.11.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon characterized by disease regression in distant sites after tumoral locoregional therapy. Locoregional therapy, such as cryoablation, can induce an antitumor immunological response, potentially improving outcomes in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy. This report describes a patient with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed through multiple locoregional therapies, was initially unresponsive to immunotherapy, and later achieved rapid and sustained disease regression with a combination cryoablation and immunotherapy. A 5-year sustained complete tumor response successfully bridged to liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Lucas
- Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Andrew R. Lewis
- Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Pashtoon M. Kasi
- Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian, 525 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Beau B. Toskich
- Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
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Zhang Y, Zhong A, Min J, Tu H, Cao Y, Fu J, Li Y, Liu X, Yang Y, Wang J, Liu J, Wu M. Biomimetic Responsive Nanoconverters with Immune Checkpoint Blockade Plus Antiangiogenesis for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6894-6907. [PMID: 38306190 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combines immune checkpoint inhibitors and antiangiogenesis agents to prolong patient survival. Nonetheless, this approach has several limitations, including stringent inclusion criteria and suboptimal response rates that stem from the severe off-tumor side effects and the unfavorable pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of different drugs delivered systemically. Herein, we propose a single-agent smart nanomedicine-based approach that mimics the therapeutic schedule in a targeted and biocompatible manner to elicit robust antitumor immunity in advanced HCC. Our strategy employed pH-responsive carriers, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(β-amino esters) amphiphilic block copolymer (PEG-PAEs), for delivering apatinib (an angiogenesis inhibitor), that were surface-coated with plasma membrane derived from engineered cells overexpressing PD-1 proteins (an immune checkpoint inhibitor to block PD-L1). In an advanced HCC mouse model with metastasis, these biomimetic responsive nanoconverters induced significant tumor regression (5/9), liver function recovery, and complete suppression of lung metastasis. Examination of the tumor microenvironment revealed an increased infiltration of immune effector cells (CD8+ and CD4+ T cells) and reduced immunosuppressive cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T regulatory cells) in treated tumors. Importantly, our nanomedicine selectively accumulated in both small and large HCC occupying >50% of the liver volume to exert therapeutic effects with minimal systemic side effects. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of such multifunctional nanoconverters to effectively reshape the tumor microenvironment for advanced HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Zhang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Aoxue Zhong
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Juan Min
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
| | - Haibin Tu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Yanbing Cao
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Jinghao Fu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Yonghao Li
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Yong Yang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
| | - Jingfeng Liu
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, P. R. China
| | - Ming Wu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
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Uson Junior PLS, Bekaii-Saab T. Act Local, Think Global: IR and Its Role in Immuno-Oncology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2024; 35:173-177. [PMID: 38272637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Interventional oncology (IO) is evolving rapidly. The treatment landscape of liver cancer is changing rapidly, and immunotherapy combinations have become the standard of care for most patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The higher response rates and improved outcomes observed with these agents are leading to initiatives for their earlier incorporation in the course of the disease, including in combination with ablative and transarterial treatment options. The intersectionality of systemic therapies and liver-directed approaches has allowed IO to be at the center stage of a rapidly evolving dynamic field across all stages of HCC. This review article will address the current state of treatment for advanced HCC and the incorporation of these options in both localized and advanced stages along with IO to further enhance the observed benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Luiz Serrano Uson Junior
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, Arizona; Center for Personalized Medicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Oncology, HCOR, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Sun J, Qi C, Liu Y, Gao F, Fu X, Tian Y. Evaluation of Multiple Liver Cancer Scoring Systems. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300301. [PMID: 37863815 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, and its incidence and mortality are increasing year by year. The prognosis of liver cancer depends on the stage of liver cancer, the treatment method, the liver function, and individual differences. The prognosis of liver cancer mainly worsens with the progression of the stage. The prediction and staging system of liver cancer prognosis plays a very important role in the outcome of liver cancer prognosis, providing some guidance for clinical practice and bringing benefits for patients. This article reports on the prediction models and staging systems that have been applied in the field of liver cancer in the past 5 years, objectively analyzes the advantages and disadvantages, applicable population of each model and staging system, and searches for other patient and clinical characteristics that need to be considered for successfully establishing a prediction model, aiming to improve the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of liver cancer prediction and increase the overall survival rate of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchao Sun
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Chao Qi
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Xifeng Fu
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Yanzhang Tian
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
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Bejjani A, Finn RS. Evolution of Systemic Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 2024; 33:73-85. [PMID: 37945146 DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The recognition that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rising problem globally dates back decades; however, the development of effective medical treatment for the disease has only led to robust improvements in patient outcomes in the recent past. As knowledge evolves and regimens are proven to be more active, the importance of multidisciplinary management in patients with all stages of HCC will become more important to optimize patient outcomes. Key to optimizing patient outcomes is an understanding of the evolution and current role of these therapies in the HCC landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Bejjani
- Hematology/Oncology, VA Greater Los Angeles Health System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Richard S Finn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 2825 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
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Jiao T, Tang H, Zhang W, Hu B, Wan T, Cao Y, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Cao J, Cui M, Lu S. Long-term survival and portal vein patency with novel PVTT surgery approach in advanced HCC patients with Vp3/4 PVTT following combination therapy of TKIs and PD-1 inhibitors. BMC Surg 2023; 23:384. [PMID: 38114938 PMCID: PMC10731777 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-023-02291-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is controversial whether patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) should undergo salvage surgery following the combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. This study aimed to elucidate the efficiency and safety of salvage surgery following combination therapy, while also summarizing a novel surgical approach for Vp3/4 PVTT. METHODS Between April 2019 and December 2022, a consecutive series of unresectable HCC patients with PVTT who received salvage surgery following combination therapy were enrolled. Evaluation included perioperative and long-term follow-up outcomes. The complete removal of Vp3/4 PVTT was achieved using a novel surgical approach characterized by "longitudinal incision and transverse suturing" and "angle-to-straight conversion". RESULTS Forty patients including 22 patients with Vp3 and 18 patients with Vp4 were included. Long-term follow-up showed similar rates of portal vein patency (Vp3: 95.5%, Vp4:94.4%, p = 0.900), and 3-year portal vein patency rates were 95.0%. There were no significant differences observed in combination therapy-related adverse events (p = 0.253) and perioperative complications (p = 0.613) between the Vp3 and Vp4 groups. The recurrence patterns were similar between the two groups (p = 0.131). There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) survival between the Vp3 and Vp4 groups (OS p = 0.457, RFS p = 0.985). Patients who achieved a pathological complete response had significantly better RFS (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION Salvage surgery after combination therapy demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety. The novel surgical approach for PVTT can effectively achieve complete removal of PVTT and ensured long-term portal vein patency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Jiao
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Haowen Tang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Bingyang Hu
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wan
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Yinbiao Cao
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China
| | - Yafei Wang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Junning Cao
- Organ Transplantation Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 59 Haier Road, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Mengqiu Cui
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiology, the, First Medical Centre , Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China, 100853.
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China.
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China.
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General, Beijing, China.
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Zhu W, Fan C, Dong S, Li X, Chen H, Zhou W. Neutrophil extracellular traps regulating tumorimmunity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253964. [PMID: 38173719 PMCID: PMC10764195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As a component of the innate immune system, there is emerging evidence to suggest that neutrophils may play a critical role in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like chromatin structures that protrude from the membranes during neutrophil activation. Recent research has shown that NETs, which are at the forefront of the renewed interest in neutrophil studies, are increasingly intertwined with HCC. By exploring the mechanisms of NETs in HCC, we aim to improve our understanding of the role of NETs and gain deeper insights into neutrophil biology. Therefore, this article provides a summary of key findings and discusses the emerging field of NETs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiong Zhu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chuanlei Fan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shi Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haofei Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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11
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Taouli B, Ba-Ssalamah A, Chapiro J, Chhatwal J, Fowler K, Kang TW, Knobloch G, Koh DM, Kudo M, Lee JM, Murakami T, Pinato DJ, Ringe KI, Song B, Tabrizian P, Wang J, Yoon JH, Zeng M, Zhou J, Vilgrain V. Consensus report from the 10th global forum for liver magnetic resonance imaging: multidisciplinary team discussion. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:9167-9181. [PMID: 37439935 PMCID: PMC10667403 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The 10th Global Forum for Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging was held in October 2021. The themes of the presentations and discussions at this Forum are described in detail in the review by Taouli et al (2023). The focus of this second manuscript developed from the Forum is on multidisciplinary tumor board perspectives in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management: how to approach early-, mid-, and late-stage management from the perspectives of a liver surgeon, an interventional radiologist, and an oncologist. The manuscript also includes a panel discussion by multidisciplinary experts on three selected cases that explore challenging aspects of HCC management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This review highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in liver cancer patients and includes the perspectives of a liver surgeon, an interventional radiologist, and an oncologist, including illustrative case studies. KEY POINTS: • A liver surgeon, interventional radiologist, and oncologist presented their perspectives on the treatment of early-, mid-, and late-stage HCC. • Different perspectives on HCC management between specialties emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary tumor boards. • A multidisciplinary faculty discussed challenging aspects of HCC management, as highlighted by three case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bachir Taouli
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular, and Interventional Radiology, BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ahmed Ba-Ssalamah
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julius Chapiro
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Department of Radiology, Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Fowler
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tae Wook Kang
- Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gesine Knobloch
- Global Medical and Clinical Affairs and Digital Development, Radiology, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dow-Mu Koh
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Takamichi Murakami
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Kristina I Ringe
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou; Liver Disease Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jeong Hee Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Université Paris Cité and Department of Radiology, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, APHP Nord, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
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12
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Bicer F, Kure C, Ozluk AA, El-Rayes BF, Akce M. Advances in Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Curr Oncol 2023; 30:9789-9812. [PMID: 37999131 PMCID: PMC10670350 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30110711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. More than half of patients with HCC present with advanced stage, and highly active systemic therapies are crucial for improving outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies have emerged as novel therapy options for advanced HCC. Only one third of patients achieve an objective response with ICI-based therapies due to primary resistance or acquired resistance. The liver tumor microenvironment is naturally immunosuppressive, and specific mutations in cell signaling pathways allow the tumor to evade the immune response. Next, gene sequencing of the tumor tissue or circulating tumor DNA may delineate resistance mechanisms to ICI-based therapy and provide a rationale for novel combination therapies. In this review, we discuss the results of key clinical trials that have led to approval of ICI-based therapy options in advanced HCC and summarize the ongoing clinical trials. We review resistance mechanisms to ICIs and discuss how immunotherapies may be optimized based on the emerging research of tumor biomarkers and genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuat Bicer
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
| | - Catrina Kure
- Department of Medicine, Northside Hospital-Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, USA;
| | - Anil A. Ozluk
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.A.O.); (B.F.E.-R.)
| | - Bassel F. El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.A.O.); (B.F.E.-R.)
| | - Mehmet Akce
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.A.O.); (B.F.E.-R.)
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13
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Jagatia R, Doornebal EJ, Rastovic U, Harris N, Feyide M, Lyons AM, Miquel R, Zen Y, Zamalloa A, Malik F, Prachalias A, Menon K, Boulter L, Eaton S, Heaton N, Phillips S, Chokshi S, Palma E. Patient-derived precision cut tissue slices from primary liver cancer as a potential platform for preclinical drug testing. EBioMedicine 2023; 97:104826. [PMID: 37806285 PMCID: PMC10667128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The exploitation of anti-tumour immunity, harnessed through immunomodulatory therapies, has fundamentally changed the treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC). However, this has posed significant challenges in preclinical research. Novel immunologically relevant models for PLC are urgently required to improve the translation from bench to bedside and back, explore and predict effective combinatorial therapies, aid novel drug discovery and develop personalised treatment modalities. METHODS We used human precision-cut tissue slices (PCTS) derived from resected tumours to create a patient-specific immunocompetent disease model that captures the multifaceted and intricate heterogeneity of the tumour and the tumour microenvironment. Tissue architecture, tumour viability and treatment response to single agent and combination therapies were assessed longitudinally over 8 days of ex vivo culture by histological analysis, detection of proliferation/cell death markers, ATP content via HPLC. Immune cell infiltrate was assessed using PCR and immunofluorescence. Checkpoint receptor expression was quantified via Quantigene RNA assay. FINDINGS After optimising the culture conditions, PCTS maintained the original tissue architecture, including tumour morphology, stroma and tumour-infiltrated leukocytes. Moreover, PCTS retained the tumour-specific immunophenotype over time, suggesting the utility of PCTS to investigate immunotherapeutic drug efficacy and identify non-responsiveness. INTERPRETATION Here we have characterised the PCTS model and demonstrated its effectiveness as a robust preclinical tool that will significantly support the development of successful (immuno)therapeutic strategies for PLC. FUNDING Foundation for Liver Research, London.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Jagatia
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Ewald J Doornebal
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Una Rastovic
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Harris
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Moyosoreoluwa Feyide
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Anabel Martinez Lyons
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Miquel
- Liver Histopathology Laboratory, Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Yoh Zen
- Liver Histopathology Laboratory, Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Ane Zamalloa
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Farooq Malik
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Prachalias
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Krishna Menon
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Scottish Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Eaton
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Heaton
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Phillips
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Palma
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111, Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom.
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14
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Tang C, He Q, Feng J, Liao Z, Peng Y, Gao J. Portal vein tumour thrombosis radiotherapy improves the treatment outcomes of immunotherapy plus bevacizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicentre real-world analysis with propensity score matching. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254158. [PMID: 37928530 PMCID: PMC10620737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sequential immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus bevacizumab therapy after radiotherapy for portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Retrospective data were collected from 113 patients with HCC with PVTT. Patients in the PVTT radiotherapy (radiotherapy + ICIs + bevacizumab) and control groups (ICIs + bevacizumab) were enrolled according to propensity score matching (PSM) analysis (1:1). The differences in progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and potential factors affecting PFS between the groups were analysed. The adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. Results There were 47 patients in the two groups after PSM (1:1). The differences in neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, and CD4, CD8, and CD4-to-CD8 ratio before and after radiotherapy for PVTT (P < 0.05) in the PVTT radiotherapy group were significant. The patients in the PVTT radiotherapy group had a longer PFS (median, 9.6 vs. 5.4 months, P < 0.001), and the PFS rates of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 97.87% vs. 94.19%, 80.85% vs. 44.68%, 53.19% vs. 6.38%, and 23.40% vs. 0.00%, respectively (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences in the ORR (48.94% vs. 27.66%, P = 0.0339) and DCR (97.87% vs. 82.98%, P = 0.0141) between the two groups, and no serious AEs were observed. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that AFP expression, gross classification of HCC, PVTT type, extrahepatic metastasis, PVTT radiotherapy, and reduction in PVTT were independent factors influencing PFS (P < 0.05). Conclusions Sequential ICIs plus bevacizumab therapy after radiotherapy for PVTT in patients with HCC is safe and feasible and may further prolong the PFS of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Graduate, The Second Clinical College of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin He
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First People's Hospital of Mianyang (SiChuan Mianyang 404 Hospital), Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Oncology, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziyue Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunli Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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15
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Zanuso V, Pirozzi A, Balsano R, Pressiani T, Rimassa L. Safety and Efficacy of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab Combination as a First Line Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1689-1708. [PMID: 37808223 PMCID: PMC10557510 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s347932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common leading causes of cancer death worldwide. As most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, systemic therapy remains the backbone of treatment. In recent years, we have witnessed the transformation of advanced HCC treatment landscapes from single-agent targeted therapies to immunotherapy combinations, with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab becoming the new first-line standard of care with an increase in overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate compared to sorafenib, and a positive impact on quality of life. Although the efficacy and safety of this combination have been confirmed regardless of ethnicity, age, and etiology, only a subgroup of patients seems to benefit the most from this treatment. Currently, predictive serum and tissue biomarkers to select patients who are most likely to respond to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab are lacking. Moreover, the optimal subsequent therapy for patients who progress on first-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab remains unknown, clinical trials are ongoing, and real-world data are needed to determine the most effective treatment sequence. Importantly, careful evaluation of bleeding risk and preservation of adequate liver function are fundamental to improve patients' prognosis, especially when subsequent treatments are administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Zanuso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Pirozzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Balsano
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pressiani
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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16
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Zhou J, Sun H, Wang Z, Cong W, Zeng M, Zhou W, Bie P, Liu L, Wen T, Kuang M, Han G, Yan Z, Wang M, Liu R, Lu L, Ren Z, Zeng Z, Liang P, Liang C, Chen M, Yan F, Wang W, Hou J, Ji Y, Yun J, Bai X, Cai D, Chen W, Chen Y, Cheng W, Cheng S, Dai C, Guo W, Guo Y, Hua B, Huang X, Jia W, Li Q, Li T, Li X, Li Y, Li Y, Liang J, Ling C, Liu T, Liu X, Lu S, Lv G, Mao Y, Meng Z, Peng T, Ren W, Shi H, Shi G, Shi M, Song T, Tao K, Wang J, Wang K, Wang L, Wang W, Wang X, Wang Z, Xiang B, Xing B, Xu J, Yang J, Yang J, Yang Y, Yang Y, Ye S, Yin Z, Zeng Y, Zhang B, Zhang B, Zhang L, Zhang S, Zhang T, Zhang Y, Zhao M, Zhao Y, Zheng H, Zhou L, Zhu J, Zhu K, Liu R, Shi Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Yang C, Wu Z, Dai Z, Chen M, Cai J, Wang W, Cai X, Li Q, Shen F, Qin S, Teng G, Dong J, Fan J. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2022 Edition). Liver Cancer 2023; 12:405-444. [PMID: 37901768 PMCID: PMC10601883 DOI: 10.1159/000530495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Primary liver cancer, of which around 75-85% is hepatocellular carcinoma in China, is the fourth most common malignancy and the second leading cause of tumor-related death, thereby posing a significant threat to the life and health of the Chinese people. Summary Since the publication of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in China in June 2017, which were updated by the National Health Commission in December 2019, additional high-quality evidence has emerged from researchers worldwide regarding the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of liver cancer, that requires the guidelines to be updated again. The new edition (2022 Edition) was written by more than 100 experts in the field of liver cancer in China, which not only reflects the real-world situation in China but also may reshape the nationwide diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. Key Messages The new guideline aims to encourage the implementation of evidence-based practice and improve the national average 5-year survival rate for patients with liver cancer, as proposed in the "Health China 2030 Blueprint."
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huichuan Sun
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenming Cong
- Department of Pathology, The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Bie
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tianfu Wen
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Kuang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohong Han
- Department of Liver Diseases and Digestive Interventional Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhiping Yan
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maoqiang Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruibao Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaochong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changhong Liang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Editorial Department of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, Chongqing, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenping Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingping Yun
- Department of Pathology, Tumor Prevention and Treatment Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dingfang Cai
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weixia Chen
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital North, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwu Cheng
- Department of Integrated Therapy, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuqun Cheng
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Spleenary Surgery, The Affiliated Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wengzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yabing Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baojin Hua
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowu Huang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Jia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiu Li
- Department of Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaming Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yexiong Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- Changhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, PLA Cancer Center, Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Institute and Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guoyue Lv
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Meng
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Weixin Ren
- Department of Interventional Radiology the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hongcheng Shi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoming Shi
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianqiang Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kui Wang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiming Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bangde Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Baocai Xing
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Affiliated Hospital Cancer Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiamei Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyong Yang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yefa Yang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Interventional Radiology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunke Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenglong Ye
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Boheng Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leida Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, ZhengZhou, China
| | - Ti Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqiao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Liver Cancer Group, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongfu Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, ZhengZhou, China
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ledu Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiye Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinghong Shi
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Xiao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifeng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Dai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minshan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Cai
- Department of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiujun Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Shen
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shukui Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, PLA Cancer Center, Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Gaojun Teng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital (BTCH), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Nguyen-Khac E, Nahon P, Ganry O, Ben Khadhra H, Merle P, Amaddeo G, Ganne-Carrie N, Silvain C, Peron JM, Mathurin P, Anty R, Uguen T, Decaens T, Riachi G, Bouattour M, Baron A, Bronowicki JP, Pageaux GP, Rosmorduc O, Ducournau G, Gilberg M, Tanang A, Dupin J, Gilbert-Marceau A, Blanc JF. Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma at dawn of immunotherapy era: real-world data from the French prospective CHIEF cohort. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 35:1168-1177. [PMID: 37577805 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hepatocellular carcinoma epidemiological data are limited in France. The Epidemio Liver Immunotherapy Tecentriq outcome research (ELITor) retrospective study, based on real-world data from the Carcinome HépatocellulaIrE en France (CHIEF) French cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, aimed to get insight into the treatment patterns, the sociodemographic, clinical, biological, and etiological characteristics, and the quality of life of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 1 September 2019 and 4 December 2020, 367 patients from the CHIEF cohort received at least one locoregional (52.8%) chemoembolization or radioembolization or systemic treatment (88.3%) and were selected for ELITor. Most patients had a Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C (93.2%) hepatocellular carcinoma stage and were affected by cirrhosis (67.7%). Alcohol was confirmed as the main etiology both as a single etiology (29.1%) and in association with other risk factors (26.9%), mainly metabolic disorders (16.2%).Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, mainly sorafenib, were the most administered systemic treatments in first line. Patients who received at least one combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab during the study period ( N = 53) had a better performance status and less portal hypertension frequency than the overall population and more hepatitis B virus infection and fewer metabolic disorders as single etiology. Overall, the global health score before treatment (62.3 ± 21.9) was in line with that of reference cancer patients and worsened in 51.9% of the cases after first-line palliative-intent treatment. CONCLUSION This study provided real-life data on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma characteristics and treatment patterns and described the first patients to receive the atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination before it became the new standard of care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre Nahon
- CHU Bobigny, APHP, Liver Unit, Bobigny; Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, F-93000 Bobigny; Inserm, UMR-1138, Université de Paris, Paris
| | - Olivier Ganry
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, CHU Amiens, Amiens
| | | | - Philippe Merle
- Hepatology Unit, Groupement Hospitalier Lyon Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon
| | | | - Nathalie Ganne-Carrie
- CHU Bobigny, APHP, Liver Unit, Bobigny; Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, F-93000 Bobigny; Inserm, UMR-1138, Université de Paris, Paris
| | | | | | | | - Rodolphe Anty
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice
| | - Thomas Uguen
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, CHU Rennes, Rennes
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Université Grenoble Alpes, Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier universitaire Grenoble-Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center UGA/Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, Grenoble
| | | | | | - Aurore Baron
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, CH sud-francilien, Corbeil-Essonnes
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18
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Liu T, Liu L, Li L, Cai J. Exploiting targeted nanomedicine for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100766. [PMID: 37636988 PMCID: PMC10457457 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the cancers that has the highest morbidity and mortality rates. In clinical practice, there are still many limitations in surveilling, diagnosing, and treating HCC, such as the poor detection of early HCC, the frequent post-surgery recurrence, the low local tumor control rate, the therapy resistance and side effects. Therefore, improved, or innovative modalities are urgently required for early diagnosis as well as refined and effective management. In recent years, nanotechnology research in the field of HCC has received great attention, with various aspects of diagnosis and treatment including biomarkers, ultrasound, diagnostic imaging, intraoperative imaging, ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. Different from previous reviews that discussed from the perspective of nanoparticles' structure, design and function, this review systematically summarizes the methods and limitations of diagnosing and treating HCC in clinical guidelines and practices, as well as nanomedicine applications. Nanomedicine can overcome the limitations to improve diagnosis accuracy and therapeutic effect via enhancement of targeting, biocompatibility, bioavailability, controlled releasing, and combination of different clinical treatment modalities. Through an in-depth understanding of the logic of nanotechnology to conquer clinical limitations, the main research directions of nanotechnology in HCC are sorted out in this review. It is anticipated that nanomedicine will play a significant role in the future clinical practices of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of Medical Imaging, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, PR China
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19
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Zhang M, Liu J, Xia Q. Role of gut microbiome in cancer immunotherapy: from predictive biomarker to therapeutic target. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:84. [PMID: 37770953 PMCID: PMC10537950 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00442-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for various types of cancers. Recent studies have highlighted a significant correlation between the gut microbiome and patients' response to immunotherapy. Several characteristics of the gut microbiome, such as community structures, taxonomic compositions, and molecular functions, have been identified as crucial biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Unlike other -omics, the gut microbiome can serve as not only biomarkers but also potential targets for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Approaches for modulating the gut microbiome include probiotics/prebiotics supplementation, dietary interventions, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and antibiotic administration. This review primarily focuses on elucidating the potential role of the gut microbiome in predicting the response to cancer immunotherapy and improving its efficacy. Notably, we explore reasons behind inconsistent findings observed in different studies, and highlight the underlying benefits of antibiotics in liver cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinkai Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
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20
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Gupta A, Zorzi J, Ho WJ, Baretti M, Azad NS, Griffith P, Dao D, Kim A, Philosophe B, Georgiades C, Kamel I, Burkhart R, Liddell R, Hong K, Shubert C, Lafaro K, Meyer J, Anders R, Burns III W, Yarchoan M. Relationship of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stage and Hepatic Function to Health-Related Quality of Life: A Single Center Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2571. [PMID: 37761768 PMCID: PMC10531156 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11182571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is known to be an important prognostic indicator and clinical endpoint for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the correlation of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage with HRQoL in HCC has not been previously studied. We examined the relationship between BCLC stage, Child-Pugh (CP) score, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status on HRQoL for patients who presented at a multidisciplinary liver cancer clinic. HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) questionnaire. Fifty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. The FACT-Hep total and subscales showed no significant association with BCLC stages (p = 0.224). Patients with CP B had significantly more impairment in FACT-Hep than patients with CP A. These data indicate that in patients with HCC, impaired liver function is associated with reduced quality of life, whereas the BCLC stage poorly correlates with quality of life metrics. Impairment of quality of life is common in HCC patients and further studies are warranted to determine the impact of early supportive interventions on HRQoL and survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol Gupta
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (J.Z.); (W.J.H.); (M.B.); (N.S.A.); (P.G.); (D.D.); (A.K.); (B.P.); (C.G.); (I.K.); (R.B.); (R.L.); (K.H.); (C.S.); (K.L.); (J.M.); (R.A.); (W.B.III); (M.Y.)
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Carloni R, Sabbioni S, Rizzo A, Ricci AD, Palloni A, Petrarota C, Cusmai A, Tavolari S, Gadaleta-Caldarola G, Brandi G. Immune-Based Combination Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1445-1463. [PMID: 37701562 PMCID: PMC10493094 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s390963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC frequently presents as advanced disease at diagnosis, and disease relapse following radical surgery is frequent. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced HCC, particularly with the introduction of atezolizumab/bevacizumab as the new standard of care for first-line treatment. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective first-line treatment for advanced HCC and most of the research is currently focused on developing combination treatments based mainly on ICIs. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies for the treatment of advanced HCC, also focusing on new immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) and anti-cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Carloni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Sabbioni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Dalia Ricci
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Palloni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cataldo Petrarota
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Cusmai
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Tavolari
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Brandi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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22
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Wu Q, Wang Z, Luo Y, Xie X. Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in Proficient Mismatch Repair (pMMR)/ Non-Microsatellite Instability-High (non-MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer: a study based on 39 cohorts incorporating 1723 patients. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:27. [PMID: 37658314 PMCID: PMC10472580 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-023-00564-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-based therapy in proficient mismatch repair (pMMR)/non-microsatellite instability-high (non-MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS Electronic databases were screened to identify relevant trials. The primary endpoints were pooled objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Stratified analysis was accomplished on ICIs-based regimens, treatment lines and RAS status. RESULTS Totally, 1723 mCRC patients from 39 cohorts were included. The pooled ORR, DCR, 12-month overall survival (OS) rate and 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate of ICIs-based therapy in pMMR/non-MSI-H mCRC were 8.5% (95% CI: 4.4%-13.5%), 48.2% (95% CI: 37.8%-58.6%), 52.3% (95% CI: 46.4%-58.1%) and 32.8% (95% CI: 23.5%-42.7%) respectively. As a whole, no significantly differences were shown between ICIs-based and non-ICIs-based therapy for pMMR/non-MSI-H mCRC in terms of both PFS (HR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9-1.1, P = 0.91) and OS (HR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9-1.2, P = 0.51). It was worth noting that the addition of ICIs to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent plus chemotherapy displayed excellent efficacy in pMMR/non-MSI-H mCRC (ORR = 42.4%, 95% CI: 10.0%-78.6%; DCR = 92.0%, 95% CI: 68.3%-100.0%; 12-month OS rate = 71.4%, 95% CI: 50.0%-89.1%; 6-month PFS rate = 55.2%, 95% CI: 24.8%-83.8%; and PFS (compared with non-ICIs-based therapy): HR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8-1.0, P = 0.02), especially served as first-line therapy (ORR = 74.2%, 95% CI: 61.4%-85.4%; DCR = 98.7%, 95% CI: 92.0%-100.0%); and without additional treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed. CONCLUSIONS ICIs-based combination therapy, especially the addition of ICIs to first-line anti-VEGF agent plus chemotherapy, is promising in pMMR/non-MSI-H mCRC with good efficacy and controllable toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Xianhe Xie
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
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23
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Zhang W, Tong S, Hu B, Wan T, Tang H, Zhao F, Jiao T, Li J, Zhang Z, Cai J, Ye H, Wang Z, Chen S, Wang Y, Li X, Wang F, Cao J, Tian L, Zhao X, Chen M, Wang H, Cai S, Hu M, Bai Y, Lu S. Lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibodies as conversion therapy for patients with unresectable intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-arm, phase II trial. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007366. [PMID: 37730273 PMCID: PMC10514649 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 70% of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage and lose the opportunity for radical surgery. Combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibodies has achieved a high tumor response rate in both the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced HCC. However, few studies have prospectively evaluated whether TKIs plus anti-PD-1 antibodies could convert unresectable intermediate-advanced HCC into resectable disease. METHODS This single-arm, phase II study enrolled systemic therapy-naïve adult patients with unresectable Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B or C HCC. Patients received oral lenvatinib one time per day plus intravenous anti-PD-1 agents every 3 weeks (one cycle). Tumor response and resectability were evaluated before the fourth cycle, then every two cycles. The primary endpoint was conversion success rate by investigator assessment. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) by independent imaging review (IIR) assessment per modified RECIST (mRECIST) and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, V.1.1 (RECIST 1.1), progression-free survival (PFS) and 12-month recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate by IIR per mRECIST, R0 resection rate, overall survival (OS), and safety. Biomarkers were assessed as exploratory objectives. RESULTS Of the 56 eligible patients enrolled, 53 (94.6%) had macrovascular invasion, and 16 (28.6%) had extrahepatic metastasis. The median follow-up was 23.5 months. The primary endpoint showed a conversion success rate of 55.4% (31/56). ORR was 53.6% per mRECIST and 44.6% per RECIST 1.1. Median PFS was 8.9 months, and median OS was 23.9 months. Among the 31 successful conversion patients, 21 underwent surgery with an R0 resection rate of 85.7%, a pathological complete response rate of 38.1%, and a 12-month RFS rate of 47.6%. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were observed in 42.9% of patients. Tumor immune microenvironment analysis of pretreatment samples displayed significant enrichment of CD8+ T cells (p=0.03) in responders versus non-responders. CONCLUSION Lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibodies demonstrate promising efficacy and tolerable safety as conversion therapy in unresectable HCC. Pre-existing CD8+ cells are identified as a promising biomarker for response to this regimen. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900023914.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Zhang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Tong
- Medical Affairs, 3D Medicines, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingyang Hu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wan
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Haowen Tang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | | | - Tianyu Jiao
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jinping Cai
- Medical Affairs, 3D Medicines, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiyi Ye
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanbo Wang
- Department of Pathology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yafei Wang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xuerui Li
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Fangzhou Wang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Junning Cao
- Organ Transplant Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lantian Tian
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | | | - Mingyi Chen
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Hongguang Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shouwang Cai
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Minggen Hu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yuezong Bai
- Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepetobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
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Zhong X, Lv M, Ma M, Huang Q, Hu R, Li J, Yi J, Sun J, Zhou X. State of CD8 + T cells in progression from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma: From pathogenesis to immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115131. [PMID: 37429231 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as the fastest growing potential cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH has been demonstrated to establish a tumor-prone liver microenvironment where both innate and adaptive immune systems are involved. As the most typical anti-tumor effector, the cell function of CD8+ T cells is remodeled by chronic inflammation, metabolic alteration, lipid toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver microenvironment along the NASH to HCC transition. Unexpectedly, NASH may blunt the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy against HCC due to the dysregulated CD8+ T cells. Growing evidence has supported that NASH is likely to facilitate the state transition of CD8+ T cells with changes in cell motility, effector function, metabolic reprogramming and gene transcription according to single-cell sequencing. However, the mechanistic insight of CD8+ T cell states in the NASH-driven HCC is not comprehensive. Herein, we focus on the characterization of state phenotypes of CD8+ T cells with both functional and metabolic signatures in NASH-driven fibrosis and HCC. The NASH-specific CD8+ T cells are speculated to mainly have a dualist effect, where its aberrant activated phenotype sustains chronic inflammation in NASH but subsequently triggers its exhaustion in HCC. As the exploration of CD8+ T cells on the distribution and phenotypic shifts will provide a new direction for the intervention strategies against HCC, we also discuss the implications for targeting different phenotypes of CD8+ T cells, shedding light on the personalized immunotherapy for NASH-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhong
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Minling Lv
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - MengQing Ma
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyu Yi
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialing Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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25
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Kang X, Wang J, Kang X, Bai L. Predictive value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in recurrent or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma received anti-PD1 therapy. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:787. [PMID: 37612634 PMCID: PMC10463676 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11166-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials have shown that anti-PD1 therapy, either as a monotherapy or in combination, is effective and well-tolerated in patients with recurrent or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of immune-nutritional biomarkers in measuring the effects of anti-PD1 therapy in these patients. METHODS We enrolled and followed up with 85 patients diagnosed with advanced HCC who underwent anti-PD1 therapy at the First Medical Centre of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital between January 2016 and January 2021. The retrospective analysis aimed to determine whether immune-nutritional biomarkers could serve as promising prognostic indices in these patients. RESULTS In this retrospective study, patients in the PNI-high group showed a better progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those in the PNI-low group (9.5 months vs. 4.2 months, P = 0.039). Similarly, the median overall survival (OS) was longer in the PNI-high group (23.9 months, 95%CI 17.45-30.35) than in the PNI-low group (11.7 months, 95%CI 9.27-14.13) (P = 0.002). These results were consistent with sub-analyses of the anti-PD1 therapy. Furthermore, both univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that a higher pre-treatment PNI ( > = 44.91) was a significant predictive factor for favorable outcomes in this patient cohort (HR = 0.411, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that pre-treatment PNI is a critical predictive factor in patients with recurrent or unresectable HCC undergoing anti-PD1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindan Kang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Medical Center & National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100089, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Medical Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of General Medicine, The First Medical Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Xue Kang
- Department of Oncology, The First Medical Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Li Bai
- Department of Oncology, The First Medical Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China.
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Gordan JD, Keenan BP, Lim HC, Yarchoan M, Kelley RK. New Opportunities to Individualize Frontline Therapy in Advanced Stages of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Drugs 2023; 83:1091-1109. [PMID: 37402062 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally and is rising in incidence. Until recently, treatment options for patients with advanced stages of HCC have been limited to antiangiogenic therapies with modest improvements in overall survival. The emerging role of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in oncology has led to a rapid expansion in treatment options and improvements in outcomes for patients with advanced stages of HCC. Recent clinical trials have shown meaningful survival improvement in patients treated with the combination of bevacizumab and atezolizumab, as well as with the combination of tremelimumab with durvalumab, resulting in regulatory approvals of these regimens as frontline therapy. Beyond improvements in overall survival, ICI-based combination regimens achieve higher rates of durable treatment response than multikinase inhibitors and have favorable side effect profiles. With the emergence of doublet anti-angiogenic and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and dual ICI combinations, individualized therapy is now possible for patients based on co-morbidity profiles and other factors. These more potent systemic therapies are also being tested in earlier stages of disease and in combination with loco-regional therapies such as trans-arterial chemoembolization and stereotactic body radiotherapy. We summarize these advances and emerging therapeutic combinations currently in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Gordan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Bridget P Keenan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cancer Immunotherapy Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Huat Chye Lim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Katie Kelley
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cancer Immunotherapy Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Luo N, Li H, Luo Y, Hu P, Liang L, Zhang R, Zhang D, Cai D, Kang J. Prognostic significance of psoas muscle index in male hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2258567. [PMID: 37728115 PMCID: PMC10512869 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2258567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, the relationship between nutritional indices and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of psoas muscle index (PMI), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), body mass index (BMI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in HCC patients treated with ICIs combined with TKIs. A total of 124 male patients with HCC were included in this study. PNI, PMI, BMI, and GNRI were calculated at the beginning of treatment. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the effect of various variables. In the univariate analysis, PMI, PNI, GNRI, and ALB were found to impact the outcomes of the patients at different follow-up times. However, the predictive value of these nutritional indices was eliminated when established risk factors were considered. In the multivariate analysis that only included nutrition-related indicators, PMI emerged as an independent prognostic factor for 1-year treatment outcomes. The group with low PMI (≤5.5409 cm2/m2) was found to have a higher risk of death at one year and at the end of the follow-up period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yindeng Luo
- Department of Radiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luwen Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dachuan Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juan Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Heo J, Liang JD, Kim CW, Woo HY, Shih IL, Su TH, Lin ZZ, Yoo SY, Chang S, Urata Y, Chen PJ. Safety and dose escalation of the targeted oncolytic adenovirus OBP-301 for refractory advanced liver cancer: Phase I clinical trial. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2077-2088. [PMID: 37060176 PMCID: PMC10362399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBP-301 is an oncolytic adenovirus modified to replicate within cancer cells and lyse them. This open-label, non-comparative, phase I dose-escalation trial aimed to assess its safety and optimal dosage in 20 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Good tolerance was shown with a maximum tolerated dose of 6 × 1012 viral particles. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were influenza-like illness, pyrexia, fatigue, decreased platelet count, abdominal distension, and anemia. Cohorts 4 and 5 had approximately 50% higher levels of CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood after injection. The best target response occurred in 14 patients, 4 of whom had progressive disease. Multiple intratumoral injections of OBP-301 were well tolerated in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The stable disease rate for the injected tumors was greater than the overall response rate, even with no obvious tumor response. OBP-301 might have a greater impact on local response as histological examination revealed that the presence of OBP-301 was consistent with the necrotic area at the injection site. Increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and <1% PD-L1 expression were observed in tumors after injection. Improved antitumor efficacy might be achieved in future studies via viral injection with volume adjustment and in combination with other immuno-therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ja-Der Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chang Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Young Woo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - I-Lun Shih
- Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zhong-Zhe Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - So Young Yoo
- BIO-IT Foundry Technology Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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29
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Roessler D, Öcal O, Philipp AB, Markwardt D, Munker S, Mayerle J, Jochheim LS, Hammer K, Lange CM, Geier A, Seidensticker M, Reiter FP, De Toni EN, Ben Khaled N. Ipilimumab and nivolumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after failure of prior immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapies: a multicenter retrospective study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:3065-3073. [PMID: 35864269 PMCID: PMC10314839 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens are transforming the landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. We describe the effect of combined ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with advanced HCC after the failure of prior ICI-based combination treatments. METHODS The clinical course of patients with advanced HCC who received combined ipilimumab and nivolumab after prior ICI-based combination therapies was assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) per RECIST v1.1 and mRECIST, overall survival (OS), and safety were analyzed. RESULTS Of 109 patients treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab or other ICI-based combination treatments, ten patients received subsequent therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab. The majority of patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage C (80%) HCC and a preserved liver function as defined by Child-Pugh A (80%). At a median follow-up of 15.3 months, ORR for ipilimumab and nivolumab was 30% with a DCR of 40%. Median PFS was 2.9 months and the median OS was 7.4 months. CONCLUSION This retrospective study demonstrates that combined ipilimumab and nivolumab can be effective and tolerable after prior ICI-based combination therapies and provides a rationale for the prospective clinical evaluation of this treatment sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Roessler
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Osman Öcal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander B Philipp
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Daniel Markwardt
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Stefan Munker
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Julia Mayerle
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Leonie S Jochheim
- Department for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Hammer
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- Department for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian P Reiter
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Enrico N De Toni
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Najib Ben Khaled
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
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30
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Kuang T, Zhang L, Chai D, Chen C, Wang W. Construction of a T-cell exhaustion-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:5751-5774. [PMID: 37354485 PMCID: PMC10333082 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with a rising prevalence worldwide. Immunotherapy has been shown to improve treatment outcomes for HCC. We aimed to construct a T-cell exhaustion-related gene prognostic model (TEXPM) for HCC and to elucidate the immunologic characteristics and advantages of immunotherapy in T-cell exhaustion-Related Gene-defined HCC groups. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing data were used in conjunction with TCGA Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to screen for T-cell exhaustion-Related Genes (TEXGs) for subsequent evaluation. Using univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis, five genes (FTL, GZMA, CD14, NPC2, and IER3) were subsequently selected for the construction of a TEXPM. Then, we evaluated the immunologic characteristics and advantages of immunotherapy in groups identified by TEXPM. RESULTS The TEXPM was formed with FTL, GZMA, CD14, NPC2, and IER3. The results of the training and validation team studies were consistent, with the low TEXPM group surviving longer than the high TEXPM group (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TEXPM (HR: 2.347, 95%CI: 1.844-2.987; HR: 2.172, 95% CI: 1.689-2.793) was an independent prognostic variable for HCC patients. The low-TEXPM group was linked to active immunity, less aggressive phenotypes, strong infiltration of CD8+ T cells, CD4 + T cells, and M1 macrophages, and a better response to ICI treatment. A high TEXPM group, on the other hand, was associated with suppressive immunity, more aggressive phenotypes, a significant infiltration of B cells, M0 macrophages, and M2 macrophages, and a reduced response to ICI treatment. FTL is an independent prognostic variable in HCC patients and the knockdown of FTL can affect the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS TEXPM is a promising prognostic biomarker connected to the immune system. Differentiating immunological and molecular features and predicting patient outcomes may be facilitated by TEXPM grouping. Furthermore, the expression of FTL was found to be an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Knockdown of FTL significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasive activity in liver cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianrui Kuang
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lilong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongqi Chai
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weixing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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He H, Chen S, Fan Z, Dong Y, Wang Y, Li S, Sun X, Song Y, Yang J, Cao Q, Jiang J, Wang X, Wen W, Wang H. Multi-dimensional single-cell characterization revealed suppressive immune microenvironment in AFP-positive hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Discov 2023; 9:60. [PMID: 37336873 PMCID: PMC10279759 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-secreting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for ~75% of HCCs, is more aggressive with a worse prognosis than those without AFP production. The mechanism through which the interaction between tumors and the microenvironment leads to distinct phenotypes is not yet clear. Therefore, our study aims to identify the characteristic features and potential treatment targets of AFP-negative HCC (ANHC) and AFP-positive HCC (APHC). We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze 6 ANHC, 6 APHC, and 4 adjacent normal tissues. Integrated multi-omics analysis together with survival analysis were also performed. Further validation was conducted via cytometry time-of-flight on 30 HCCs and multiplex immunohistochemistry on additional 59 HCCs. Our data showed that the genes related to antigen processing and interferon-γ response were abundant in tumor cells of APHC. Meanwhile, APHC was associated with multifaceted immune distortion, including exhaustion of diverse T cell subpopulations, and the accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Notably, TAM-SPP1+ was highly enriched in APHC, as was its receptor CD44 on T cells and tumor cells. Targeting the Spp1-Cd44 axis restored T cell function in vitro and significantly reduced tumor burden when treated with either anti-Spp1 or anti-Cd44 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Pd-1 antibody in the mouse model. Furthermore, elevated IL6 and TGF-β1 signaling contributed to the enrichment of TAM-SPP1+ in APHC. In conclusion, this study uncovered a highly suppressive microenvironment in APHC and highlighted the role of TAM-SPP1+ in regulating the immune microenvironment, thereby revealing the SPP1-CD44 axis as a promising target for achieving a more favorable immune response in APHC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huisi He
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhen Chen
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhecai Fan
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Yaping Dong
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyao Li
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojuan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Song
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Jinxian Yang
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Qiqi Cao
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Xianming Wang
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Wen
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongyang Wang
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China.
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China.
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Colombo I, Karakasis K, Suku S, Oza AM. Chasing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer: Novel Combinations and Biomarker Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3220. [PMID: 37370830 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A deep understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the recognition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as a prognostic factor have resulted in major milestones in immunotherapy that have led to therapeutic advances in treating many cancers. Yet, the translation of this knowledge to clinical success for ovarian cancer remains a challenge. The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors as single agents or combined with chemotherapy has been unsatisfactory, leading to the exploration of alternative combination strategies with targeted agents (e.g., poly-ADP-ribose inhibitors (PARP)and angiogenesis inhibitors) and novel immunotherapy approaches. Among the different histological subtypes, clear cell ovarian cancer has shown a higher sensitivity to immunotherapy. A deeper understanding of the mechanism of immune resistance within the context of ovarian cancer and the identification of predictive biomarkers remain central discovery benchmarks to be realized. This will be critical to successfully define the precision use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Colombo
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via A. Gallino, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Katherine Karakasis
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Sneha Suku
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Amit M Oza
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
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Peeters F, Dekervel J. Considerations for individualized first-line systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 70:102365. [PMID: 36972646 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 80%-90% of all primary liver malignancies. Until 2007, there was no effective treatment option available for patients diagnosed with advanced HCC, whereas today, both multireceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors as well as immunotherapy combinations have entered clinical practice. The choice between the different options is a tailor-made decision to match the efficacy and safety data of the clinical trials with the specific patient and disease profile. This review provides clinical stepstones to make an individualized decision for every patient with its specific tumor and liver characteristics in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Peeters
- Digestive Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@PeetersFre
| | - Jeroen Dekervel
- Digestive Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Ren Z, Shao G, Shen J, Zhang L, Zhu X, Fang W, Sun G, Bai Y, Wu J, Liu L, Yuan Y, Zhang J, Li Z, Zhang L, Yin T, Wu J, Hou X, Wang Q, Zhu J, Fan J. Phase 2 Study of the PD-1 Inhibitor Serplulimab plus the Bevacizumab Biosimilar HLX04 in Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2023; 12:116-128. [PMID: 37325495 PMCID: PMC10267516 DOI: 10.1159/000526638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current treatments for patients with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide modest survival benefits. We evaluated the safety and antitumor activity of serplulimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, plus the bevacizumab biosimilar HLX04 in this patient population. METHODS In this open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study in China, patients with advanced HCC who failed prior systemic therapy received serplulimab 3 mg/kg plus HLX04 5 mg/kg (group A) or 10 mg/kg (group B) intravenously every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety. RESULTS As of April 8, 2021, 20 and 21 patients were enrolled into groups A and B, and they had received a median of 7 and 11 treatment cycles, respectively. Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 14 (70.0%) patients in group A and 12 (57.1%) in group B. Most immune-related adverse events were grade ≤3. The objective response rate was 30.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9-54.3) in group A and 14.3% (95% CI, 3.0-36.3) in group B. Median duration of response was not reached (95% CI, 3.3-not evaluable [NE]) in group A and was 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.9-NE) in group B. Median progression-free survival was 2.2 months (95% CI, 1.4-5.5) and 4.1 months (95% CI, 1.5-NE), and median overall survival was 11.6 months (95% CI, 6.4-NE) and 14.3 months (95% CI, 8.2-NE) in groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION Serplulimab plus HLX04 showed a manageable safety profile and promising antitumor activity in patients with previously treated advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenggang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoliang Shao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Interventional Therapy, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Weijia Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoping Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuxian Bai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Jianbing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jingdong Zhang
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Linyi Cancer Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Jincai Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaoli Hou
- Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Cheung TT, Yu SCH, Chan SL, Poon RTP, Kwok P, Lee AS, Tai A, Tam D, Cheung CC, Lai TW, Chia NH, Law A, Shum T, Lam YK, Lau V, Lee V, Chong C, Tang CN, Yau T. The Hong Kong consensus statements on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: narrative review and update for 2021. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2023; 12:366-385. [PMID: 37351136 PMCID: PMC10282685 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-21-405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Hong Kong, like many parts of Asia, faces a high burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by high endemic rates of hepatitis B virus infection. Hong Kong clinicians have developed a high level of expertise in HCC treatment across surgical, transarterial, ablative, radiotherapeutic and systemic modalities. This publication summarizes the latest evidence-based recommendations on how these modalities should be used. Methods In two meetings held in 2020, a multidisciplinary panel of surgeons, oncologists and interventional radiologists performed a narrative review of evidence on the management of HCC, with an emphasis on treatment of HCC not amenable to surgical resection. Close attention was paid to new evidence published since the previous version of these statements in 2018. Key Content and Findings The expert panel has formulated 60 consensus statements to guide the staging and treatment of unresectable HCC. Since the previous version of these statements, considerable additions have been made to the recommendations on use of targeted therapies and immunotherapies because of the large volume of new evidence. Conclusions Our consensus statements offer guidance on how to select HCC patients for surgical or non-surgical treatment and for choosing among non-surgical modalities for patients who are not candidates for resection. In particular, there is a need for more evidence to aid physicians in the selection of second-line systemic therapies, as currently most data are limited to patients with disease progression on first-line sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan-To Cheung
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Chun-Ho Yu
- Department of Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephen L. Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ronnie T. P. Poon
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Philip Kwok
- Department of Radiology and Imaging, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ann-Shing Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anna Tai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Derek Tam
- Department of Surgery, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Tak-Wing Lai
- Department of Surgery, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nam-Hung Chia
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ada Law
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tracy Shum
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yim-Kwan Lam
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vince Lau
- Department of Radiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Victor Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charing Chong
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung-Ngai Tang
- Department of Surgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Thomas Yau
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Moroney J, Trivella J, George B, White SB. A Paradigm Shift in Primary Liver Cancer Therapy Utilizing Genomics, Molecular Biomarkers, and Artificial Intelligence. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2791. [PMID: 37345129 PMCID: PMC10216313 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Conventional therapies offer limited survival benefit despite improvements in locoregional liver-directed therapies, which highlights the underlying complexity of liver cancers. This review explores the latest research in primary liver cancer therapies, focusing on developments in genomics, molecular biomarkers, and artificial intelligence. Attention is also given to ongoing research and future directions of immunotherapy and locoregional therapies of primary liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Moroney
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Juan Trivella
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ben George
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sarah B. White
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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Huang C, Zhu XD, Shen YH, Xu B, Wu D, Ji Y, Chen LL, Song TQ, Zhang W, Zeng ZM, Huang HS, Wang K, Huang LQ, Chen YJ, Yang YC, Zhou LD, Long G, Zhao HT, Wang YC, Ge NL, Chen Y, Tan CJ, Zhou J, Fan J, Sun HC. Radiographic and α-fetoprotein response predict pathologic complete response to immunotherapy plus a TKI in hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:416. [PMID: 37158833 PMCID: PMC10169382 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathologic complete response (pCR) following preoperative systemic therapy is associated with improved outcomes after subsequent liver transplant/resection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between radiographic and histopathological response remains unclear. METHODS We retrospectively examined patients with initially unresectable HCC who received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) plus anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) therapy before undergoing liver resection between March 2019 and September 2021 across 7 hospitals in China. Radiographic response was evaluated using mRECIST. A pCR was defined as no viable tumor cells in resected samples. RESULTS We included 35 eligible patients, of whom 15 (42.9%) achieved pCR after systemic therapy. After a median follow-up of 13.2 months, tumors recurred in 8 non-pCR and 1 pCR patient. Before resection, there were 6 complete responses, 24 partial responses, 4 stable disease cases, and 1 progressive disease case, per mRECIST. Predicting pCR by radiographic response yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.727 (95% CI: 0.558-0.902), with an optimal cutoff value of 80% reduction in the enhanced area in MRI (called major radiographic response), which had a 66.7% sensitivity, 85.0% specificity, and a 77.1% diagnostic accuracy. When radiographic response was combined with α-fetoprotein response, the AUC was 0.926 (95% CI: 0.785-0.999); the optimal cutoff value was 0.446, which had a 91.7% sensitivity, 84.6%, specificity, and an 88.0% diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS In patients with unresectable HCC receiving combined TKI/anti-PD 1 therapy, major radiographic response alone or combined with α-fetoprotein response may predict pCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying-Hao Shen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Li Chen
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Qiang Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Oncology Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Oncology Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Hua-Sheng Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery II, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan-Qing Huang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery II, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Jun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Chen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Le-Du Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo Long
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hai-Tao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Chao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ning-Ling Ge
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang-Jun Tan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui-Chuan Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Munson PV, Adamik J, Hartmann FJ, Favaro PM, Ho D, Bendall SC, Combes AJ, Krummel MF, Zhang K, Kelley RK, Butterfield LH. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Bound α-Fetoprotein Promotes Immune Suppression by Altering Human Dendritic Cell Metabolism. Cancer Res 2023; 83:1543-1557. [PMID: 36847613 PMCID: PMC10152238 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is expressed by stem-like and poor outcome hepatocellular cancer tumors and is a clinical tumor biomarker. AFP has been demonstrated to inhibit dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and maturation and to block oxidative phosphorylation. To identify the critical metabolic pathways leading to human DC functional suppression, here, we used two recently described single-cell profiling methods, scMEP (single-cell metabolic profiling) and SCENITH (single-cell energetic metabolism by profiling translation inhibition). Glycolytic capacity and glucose dependence of DCs were significantly increased by tumor-derived, but not normal cord blood-derived, AFP, leading to increased glucose uptake and lactate secretion. Key molecules in the electron transport chain in particular were regulated by tumor-derived AFP. These metabolic changes occurred at mRNA and protein levels, with negative impact on DC stimulatory capacity. Tumor-derived AFP bound significantly more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than cord blood-derived AFP. PUFAs bound to AFP increased metabolic skewing and promoted DC functional suppression. PUFAs inhibited DC differentiation in vitro, and ω-6 PUFAs conferred potent immunoregulation when bound to tumor-derived AFP. Together, these findings provide mechanistic insights into how AFP antagonizes the innate immune response to limit antitumor immunity. SIGNIFICANCE α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a secreted tumor protein and biomarker with impact on immunity. Fatty acid-bound AFP promotes immune suppression by skewing human dendritic cell metabolism toward glycolysis and reduced immune stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul V. Munson
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Juraj Adamik
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Felix J. Hartmann
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Systems Immunology and Single-Cell Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Daniel Ho
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Sean C. Bendall
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Alexis J. Combes
- ImmunoProfiler Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Matthew F. Krummel
- ImmunoProfiler Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Karen Zhang
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Robin K. Kelley
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), University of California, San Francisco, California
- Cancer Immunotherapy Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Lisa H. Butterfield
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Donne R, Lujambio A. The liver cancer immune microenvironment: Therapeutic implications for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2023; 77:1773-1796. [PMID: 35989535 PMCID: PMC9941399 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The liver is the sixth most common site of primary cancer in humans and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of liver cancers. HCC is a prevalent disease with a progression that is modulated by the immune system. Half of the patients with HCC receive systemic therapies, traditionally sorafenib or lenvatinib, as a first-line therapy. In the last few years, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy and have gained an increased interest in the treatment of HCC. In 2020, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1) and bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) improved overall survival over sorafenib, resulting in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC. Despite these major advances, a better molecular and cellular characterization of the tumor microenvironment is still needed because it has a crucial role in the development and progression of HCC. Inflamed (hot) and noninflamed (cold) HCC tumors and genomic signatures have been associated with response to ICIs. However, there are no additional biomarkers to guide clinical decision-making. Other immune-targeting strategies, such as adoptive T-cell transfer, vaccination, and virotherapy, are currently under development. This review provides an overview on the HCC immune microenvironment, different cellular players, current available immunotherapies, and potential immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Donne
- Department of Oncological Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , Tisch Cancer Institute , New York , New York , USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , The Precision Immunology Institute , New York , New York , USA
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Department of Oncological Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , Tisch Cancer Institute , New York , New York , USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , The Precision Immunology Institute , New York , New York , USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA
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Lazzaro A, Hartshorn KL. A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the History, Current Landscape, and Future Directions of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Systemic Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092506. [PMID: 37173972 PMCID: PMC10177076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide a comprehensive review of current approved systemic treatment strategies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), starting with the phase III clinical trial of sorafenib which was the first to definitively show a survival benefit. After this trial, there was an initial period of little progress. However, in recent years, an explosion of new agents and combinations of agents has resulted in a markedly improved outlook for patients. We then provide the authors' current approach to therapy, i.e., "How We Treat HCC". Promising future directions and important gaps in therapy that persist are finally reviewed. HCC is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide and the incidence is growing due not only to alcoholism, hepatitis B and C, but also to steatohepatitis. HCC, like renal cell carcinoma and melanoma, is a cancer largely resistant to chemotherapy but the advent of anti-angiogenic, targeted and immune therapies have improved survival for all of these cancers. We hope this review will heighten interest in the field of HCC therapies, provide a clear outline of the current data and strategy for treatment, and sensitize readers to new developments that are likely to emerge in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lazzaro
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kevan L Hartshorn
- Section of Hematology Oncology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Müller L, Gairing SJ, Foerster F, Weinmann A, Mittler J, Stoehr F, Graafen D, Düber C, Galle PR, Kloeckner R, Hahn F. Portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and immunotherapy: prognostic relevance of CT-morphologic estimates. Cancer Imaging 2023; 23:40. [PMID: 37098584 PMCID: PMC10127076 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-023-00558-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) has been identified as an important prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing curative treatment. This study aimed to assess PH estimates as prognostic factors in patients with HCC treated with immunotherapy. METHODS All patients with HCC treated with an immunotherapeutic agent in first or subsequent lines at our tertiary care center between 2016 and 2021 were included (n = 50). CSPH was diagnosed using the established PH score for non-invasive PH estimation in pre-treatment CT data (cut-off ≥ 4). Influence of PH on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed in uni- and multivariable analyses. RESULTS Based on the PH score, 26 patients (52.0%) were considered to have CSPH. After treatment initiation, patients with CSPH had a significantly impaired median OS (4.1 vs 33.3 months, p < 0.001) and a significantly impaired median PFS (2.7 vs 5.3 months, p = 0.02). In multivariable Cox regression, CSPH remained significantly associated with survival (HR 2.9, p = 0.015) when adjusted for established risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Non-invasive assessment of CSPH using routine CT data yielded an independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC and immunotherapy. Therefore, it might function as an additional imaging biomarker to detect high-risk patients with poor survival and possibly for treatment decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Müller
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Simon J Gairing
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Friedrich Foerster
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens Mittler
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Stoehr
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Dirk Graafen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Christoph Düber
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Peter R Galle
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Roman Kloeckner
- Institute of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein-Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Felix Hahn
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany.
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Wei AC. Practice-Changing Evidence in Surgical Oncology 2021: Hepatobiliary Articles. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:1960-1965. [PMID: 36745257 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13132-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of patients with liver and biliary malignancies is rapidly changing. Over the past year, important new studies have been published that offer new treatment options for patients with hepatobiliary cancers. METHODS This article summarizes the top studies published in hepatobiliary cancer over the past year and describes how this latest evidence will impact clinical practice. RESULTS Advances in systemic therapy with immune checkpoint inhibition and precision oncology approaches for primary liver cancers were reported. For colorectal liver metastases, long-term results from one large randomized trial report limited effects of chemotherapy on overall survival following liver metastasectomy. CONCLUSIONS Key new evidence informs that treatment strategies for hepatobiliary cancer are now available and should be incorporated into practice to improve outcomes for patients with liver and biliary malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C Wei
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, C-886A, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Rimassa L, Finn RS, Sangro B. Combination immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00178-2. [PMID: 36933770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been tested in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showing an objective response rate of 15-20%, mostly without a significant overall survival (OS) benefit. Furthermore, approximately 30% of HCC shows intrinsic resistance to ICIs. In the absence of predictive biomarkers to identify patients likely to benefit most from immunotherapy, research has moved to exploring combinations with potential activity in broader patient populations. Basket trials, including cohorts of patients with HCC, and early phase studies tested the combination of ICIs with antiangiogenic agents as well as the combination of two different ICIs. The achieved promising results provided the rationale for the following phase 3 trials, which tested the combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 with bevacizumab, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or anti-CTLA-4. Positive results from the IMbrave150 trial led to the practice-changing approval of atezolizumab-bevacizumab, the first regimen to demonstrate improved survival in the front-line setting, since the approval of sorafenib. More recently, the HIMALAYA trial demonstrated the superiority of durvalumab-tremelimumab (STRIDE regimen) over sorafenib, establishing a new first-line option. In contrast, inconsistent results have been achieved with combinations of ICIs and TKIs, with only one phase 3 trial showing an OS benefit. The rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape for patients with advanced HCC has left significant unmet needs to be addressed in future research. These include choice and sequencing of treatments, identification of biomarkers, combinations with locoregional therapies, and development of new immunotherapy agents. This review summarizes the scientific rationale and available clinical data for combination immunotherapy in advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele (Milan), Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (Milan), Italy.
| | - Richard S Finn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit and HPB Oncology Area, Clinica Universidad de Navarra and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
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Outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma by etiology with first-line atezolizumab and bevacizumab: a real-world analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:2345-2354. [PMID: 36862158 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly form of liver cancer. Combination atezolizumab and bevacizumab has improved the outcomes for patients with advanced disease. We sought to determine the impact of etiology on outcomes of patients treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab. METHODS This study used a real-world database. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) by etiology of HCC; the secondary outcome was real-world time to treatment discontinuation (rwTTD). Time-to-event analyses was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method; the log-rank test to assess for differences by etiology from date of first receipt of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS In total, 429 patients were included (n = 216 Viral-HCC; n = 68 Alcohol-HCC; n = 145, NASH-HCC). The median overall survival for the entire cohort was 9.4 months (95% CI 7.1-10.9). Compared with Viral-HCC, the hazard ratio (HR) of death was 1.11 (95% CI 0.74-1.68, p = 0.62) for Alcohol-HCC and was 1.34 (95% CI 0.96-1.86, p = 0.08) for NASH-HCC. The median rwTTD for the entire cohort was 5.7 months (95% CI 5.0-7.0 months). The HR of rwTTD was 1.24 (95% CI 0.86-1.77, p = 0.25) for Alcohol-HCC and was 1.31 (95% CI 0.98-1.75, p = 0.06) in reference to TTD with Viral-HCC. CONCLUSIONS In this real-world cohort of patients with HCC receiving first-line atezolizumab and bevacizumab, we did not identify an association between etiology and OS or rwTTD. This suggests that the efficacy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab may be similar across HCC etiologies. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Talbot T, D'Alessio A, Pinter M, Balcar L, Scheiner B, Marron TU, Jun T, Dharmapuri S, Ang C, Saeed A, Hildebrand H, Muzaffar M, Fulgenzi CAM, Amara S, Naqash AR, Gampa A, Pillai A, Wang Y, Khan U, Lee P, Huang Y, Bengsch B, Bettinger D, Mohamed YI, Kaseb A, Pressiani T, Personeni N, Rimassa L, Nishida N, Kudo M, Weinmann A, Galle PR, Muhammed A, Cortellini A, Vogel A, Pinato DJ. Progression patterns and therapeutic sequencing following immune checkpoint inhibition for hepatocellular carcinoma: An international observational study. Liver Int 2023; 43:695-707. [PMID: 36577703 PMCID: PMC10947007 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Different approaches are available after the progression of disease (PD) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including the continuation of ICI, treatment switching to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and cessation of anticancer therapy. We sought to characterise the relationship between radiological patterns of progression and survival post-ICI, also appraising treatment strategies. METHODS We screened 604 HCC patients treated with ICIs, including only those who experienced PD by data cut-off. We evaluated post-progression survival (PPS) according to the treatment strategy at PD and verified its relationship with radiological patterns of progression: intrahepatic growth (IHG), new intrahepatic lesion (NIH), extrahepatic growth (EHG), new extrahepatic lesion (NEH) and new vascular invasion (nVI). RESULTS Of 604 patients, 364 (60.3%) experienced PD during observation. Median PPS was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.4-6.9; 271 events). At the data cut-off, 165 patients (45%) received no post-progression anticancer therapy; 64 patients (17.6%) continued ICI beyond PD. IHG (HR 1.64 [95% CI: 1.21-2.22]; p = .0013) and nVI (HR 2.15 [95% CI: 1.38-3.35]; p = .0007) were associated with shorter PPS. Multivariate models adjusted for progression patterns, treatment line and albumin-bilirubin grade and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at PD confirmed receipt of ICI beyond PD with (HR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.09-0.32; p < .0001) or without subsequent TKI (HR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.26-0.58; p < .0001) as predictors of prolonged PPS versus no anticancer therapy. CONCLUSIONS ICI-TKI sequencing is a consolidated option in advanced HCC. nVI and IHG predict a poorer prognosis. Despite lack of recommendation, the continuation of ICI beyond progression in HCC is adopted clinically: future efforts should appraise which patients benefit from this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Talbot
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
| | - Antonio D'Alessio
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas U. Marron
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer InstituteMount Sinai HospitalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Sirish Dharmapuri
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer InstituteMount Sinai HospitalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Celina Ang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer InstituteMount Sinai HospitalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of MedicineKansas University Cancer CenterWestwoodKansasUSA
| | - Hannah Hildebrand
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of MedicineKansas University Cancer CenterWestwoodKansasUSA
| | - Mahvish Muzaffar
- Division of Hematology/OncologyEast Carolina UniversityGreenvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Claudia A. M. Fulgenzi
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Suneetha Amara
- Division of Hematology/OncologyEast Carolina UniversityGreenvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Abdul Rafeh Naqash
- Division of Hematology/OncologyEast Carolina UniversityGreenvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
- Division of Cancer Treatment and DiagnosisNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Anuhya Gampa
- Section of GastroenterologyHepatology & Nutrition, the University of Chicago MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Section of GastroenterologyHepatology & Nutrition, the University of Chicago MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Yinghong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & NutritionThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Uqba Khan
- Division of Hematology and OncologyWeill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian HospitalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Pei‐Chang Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of MedicineTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Institute of Clinical MedicineNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Bertram Bengsch
- Department of Medicine II, Faculty of MedicineMedical Center University of Freiburg, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Dominik Bettinger
- Department of Medicine II, Faculty of MedicineMedical Center University of Freiburg, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Yehia I. Mohamed
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Ahmed Kaseb
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Tiziana Pressiani
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer CenterIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Nicola Personeni
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer CenterIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer CenterIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyKindai University Faculty of MedicineOsaka‐SayamaJapan
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyKindai University Faculty of MedicineOsaka‐SayamaJapan
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
| | - Peter R. Galle
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
| | - Ambreen Muhammed
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
| | - Alessio Cortellini
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - David J. Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College LondonHammersmith HospitalLondonUK
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational MedicineUniversity of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”NovaraItaly
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Kim YT, Kim J, Seong J. Favorable response of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis after radiotherapy combined with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:225-229. [PMID: 37384021 PMCID: PMC10202242 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2023.02.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the superiority of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AteBeva) over sorafenib was proven in the IMbrave150 trial, and AteBeva became the first-line systemic treatment for untreated, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While the results are encouraging, more than half of patients with advanced HCC are still being treated in a palliative setting. Radiotherapy (RT) is known to induce immunogenic effects that may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein, we report the case of a patient with advanced HCC with massive portal vein tumor thrombosis treated with a combination of RT and AteBeva, who showed near complete response in tumor thrombosis and favorable response to HCC. Although this is a rare case, it shows the importance of reducing the tumor burden via RT to combination immunotherapy in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Tae Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Heavy Ion Therapy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jina Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Heavy Ion Therapy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinsil Seong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Heavy Ion Therapy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Yin C, Armstrong S, Shin R, Geng X, Wang H, Satoskar RS, Fishbein T, Smith C, Banovac F, Kim AY, He AR. Bridging and downstaging with TACE in early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma: Predictors of receiving a liver transplant. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2023; 7:295-305. [PMID: 36998293 PMCID: PMC10043769 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims In patients with surgically unresectable early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), only liver transplant (LT) offers a cure. Locoregional therapies, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), are widely used to bridge patients waiting for an LT or downstage tumors beyond Milan Criteria (MC). However, there are no formal guidelines on the number of TACE procedures patients should receive. Our study explores the extent to which repeated TACE might offer diminishing gains toward LT. Approach We retrospectively analyzed 324 patients with BCLC stage A and B HCC who had received TACE with the intention of disease downstaging or bridging to LT. In addition to baseline demographics, we collected data on LT status, survival, and the number of TACE procedures. Overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and correlative studies were calculated using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results Out of 324 patients, 126 (39%) received an LT, 32 (25%) of whom had responded favorably to TACE. LT significantly improved OS: HR 0.174 (0.094-0.322, P < .001). However, the LT rate significantly decreased if patients received ≥3 vs < 3 TACE procedures (21.6% vs 48.6%, P < .001). If their cancer was beyond MC after the third TACE, the LT rate was 3.7%. Conclusions An increased number of TACE procedures may have diminishing returns in preparing patients for LT. Our study suggests that alternatives to LT, such as novel systemic therapies, should be considered for patients whose cancers are beyond MC after three TACE procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yin
- Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Samantha Armstrong
- Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Richard Shin
- Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Xue Geng
- Department of BiostatisticsGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Hongkun Wang
- Department of BiostatisticsGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Rohit S. Satoskar
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Thomas Fishbein
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Coleman Smith
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant InstituteWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Filip Banovac
- Department of RadiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Alexander Y. Kim
- Department of RadiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Aiwu Ruth He
- Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
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Fessas P, Scheiner B, D'Alessio A, M Fulgenzi CA, Korolewicz J, Ward C, Tait P, Thomas R, Cortellini A, Sharma R, Pinato DJ. PETAL protocol: a phase Ib study of pembrolizumab after transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Future Oncol 2023; 19:499-507. [PMID: 37097715 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2022-0916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment of choice for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent data suggest that TACE may boost the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The authors present the trial protocol for PETAL, a phase Ib study, which will assess the safety and bioactivity of pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, following TACE in HCC. After a run-in phase evaluating six patients to establish preliminary safety, up to 26 additional participants will be enrolled. Pembrolizumab will be administered three-times weekly for 1 year or until progression, starting 30-45 days after TACE. The primary objective is to determine safety and the secondary objective is to preliminarily evaluate efficacy. Radiological responses will be evaluated every four cycles. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03397654 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Fessas
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - Antonio D'Alessio
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
- Liver Cancer (HCC) Study Group, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia A M Fulgenzi
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - James Korolewicz
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - Caroline Ward
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - Paul Tait
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Thomas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Cortellini
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS, London, UK
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Li D, Tan R, Hernandez S, Reilly N, Bussberg C, Mansfield C. Patient Preferences for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatments: A Discrete-Choice Experiment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051470. [PMID: 36900262 PMCID: PMC10001043 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have varying benefit-risk profiles. We elicited 200 US patients' preferences for attributes associated with various first-line systemic treatments for unresectable HCC in a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) survey. Respondents answered nine DCE questions, each offering a choice between two hypothetical treatment profiles defined by six attributes with varying levels: overall survival (OS), months of maintained daily function, severity of palmar-plantar syndrome, severity of hypertension, risk of digestive-tract bleeding, and mode and frequency of administration. A random-parameters logit model was used to analyze the preference data. Patients regarded an additional 10 months of maintaining daily function without decline to be as important or more important than 10 additional months of OS, on average. Respondents valued avoiding moderate-to-severe palmar-plantar syndrome and hypertension more than extended OS. A respondent would require >10 additional months of OS (the greatest increase presented in the study) on average to offset the increased burden of adverse events. Patients with unresectable HCC prioritize avoiding adverse events that would severely impact their quality of life over mode and frequency of administration or digestive-tract bleeding risk. For some patients with unresectable HCC, maintaining daily functioning is as important or more important than the survival benefit of a treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daneng Li
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Ruoding Tan
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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Laschtowitz A, Roderburg C, Tacke F, Mohr R. Preoperative Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current State of the Art. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:181-191. [PMID: 36789252 PMCID: PMC9922501 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s347944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy that requires multidisciplinary evaluation to develop individualized and tailored treatment concepts. While liver resection and transplantation represent the mainstay of curative treatment in patients with early-stage HCC, disease recurrence remains an important burden. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become standard of care in the palliative setting, achieving promising response rates with overall good tolerability. Accordingly, ICIs are being evaluated in (neo)adjuvant concepts in order to improve survival. Nevertheless, neoadjuvant therapies are not recommended by current guidelines as they have not been proven to improve the outcome in large Phase III trials yet. Especially in the context of liver transplantation (LT), perioperative ICI usage is in need of a particularly critical risk-benefit assessment, as the immunotherapy may significantly increase the risk of rejection. In this review, we summarize available data on ICI-based perioperative treatment strategies in HCC. We discuss current drawbacks and challenges of this treatment concept and specifically highlight the risk of allograft rejection when ICI are given in patients (subsequently) considered for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Laschtowitz
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Raphael Mohr
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany,Correspondence: Raphael Mohr, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany, Email
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