scholarly journals Baseline Interleukin-6 and -8 predict response and survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib monotherapy: an exploratory post hoc analysis of the SORAMIC trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Öcal ◽  
Kerstin Schütte ◽  
Juozas Kupčinskas ◽  
Egidijus Morkunas ◽  
Gabija Jurkeviciute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Y90 Radioembolization ◽  
Baseline Values ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract Purpose To explore the potential correlation between baseline interleukin (IL) values and overall survival or objective response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving sorafenib. Methods A subset of patients with HCC undergoing sorafenib monotherapy within a prospective multicenter phase II trial (SORAMIC, sorafenib treatment alone vs. combined with Y90 radioembolization) underwent baseline IL-6 and IL-8 assessment before treatment initiation. In this exploratory post hoc analysis, the best cut-off points for baseline IL-6 and IL-8 values predicting overall survival (OS) were evaluated, as well as correlation with the objective response. Results Forty-seven patients (43 male) with a median OS of 13.8 months were analyzed. Cut-off values of 8.58 and 57.9 pg/mL most effectively predicted overall survival for IL-6 and IL-8, respectively. Patients with high IL-6 (HR, 4.1 [1.9–8.9], p < 0.001) and IL-8 (HR, 2.4 [1.2–4.7], p = 0.009) had significantly shorter overall survival than patients with low IL values. Multivariate analysis confirmed IL-6 (HR, 2.99 [1.22–7.3], p = 0.017) and IL-8 (HR, 2.19 [1.02–4.7], p = 0.044) as independent predictors of OS. Baseline IL-6 and IL-8 with respective cut-off values predicted objective response rates according to mRECIST in a subset of 42 patients with follow-up imaging available (IL-6, 46.6% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.007; IL-8, 50.0% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.011). Conclusion IL-6 and IL-8 baseline values predicted outcomes of sorafenib-treated patients in this well-characterized prospective cohort of the SORAMIC trial. We suggest that the respective cut-off values might serve for validation in larger cohorts, potentially offering guidance for improved patient selection.

Efficacy and safety of localized concurrent chemoradiation therapy and sorafenib sequential therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective phase II trial.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15678-e15678
Author(s):  
Beom Kyung Kim ◽  
Do Young Kim ◽  
Hye Jin Choi ◽  
Seung-Hoon Beom ◽  
Hye Won Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Median Overall Survival ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Phase Ii Trial ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment

e15678 Background: Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a particularly poor prognosis of the median overall survival of less than 12 months. Even though sorafenib has been approved for treating advanced stage HCC, the unsatisfactory objective response rate still remain unresolved. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of localized concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by sequential sorafenib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This study is an ongoing, phase II trial. Patients with advanced HCC not amenable for curative treatments were eligible. In the course of radiotherapy for 5 weeks, hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (500mg/day) via implanted port was applied during the first 5 days and the last 5 days of radiotherapy. Four weeks after localized CCRT, sorafenib (400mg bid) was maintained. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: A total of 47 patients were enrolled. After the completion of localized CCRT, the objective response rate was 31.9%. During the overall treatment course, the objective response rate was 46.8% respectively. Overall, 7 patients (14.9%) underwent curative resection or transplantation after down-staging. The median overall survival was 18.4 months and the progression-free survival was 6.8 months. Adverse events were predictable and manageable with conservative care. Conclusions: Localized CCRT followed by sequential sorafenib treatment in patients with advanced HCC showed significant activity and good tolerability. Furthermore, such a treatment modality, when compared to the use of sorafenib alone, might provide the additional therapeutic benefit through initial tumor reduction, allowing curative treatment after down-staging in 14.9% of patients, Further randomized trial should be required to make the more robust evidence. Clinical trial information: NCT02425605.

scholarly journals Early tumor shrinkage and response assessment according to mRECIST predict overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients under sorafenib

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Öcal ◽  
Regina Schinner ◽  
Kerstin Schütte ◽  
Enrico N. de Toni ◽  
Christian Loewe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Tumor Diameter ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Shrinkage ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Early Tumor Shrinkage ◽  
Early Tumor ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between follow-up imaging characteristics and overall survival (OS) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients under sorafenib treatment. Methods Associations between OS and objective response (OR) by mRECIST or early tumor shrinkage (ETS; ≥20% reduction in enhancing tumor diameter at the first follow-up imaging) were analyzed in HCC patients treated with sorafenib within a multicenter phase II trial (SORAMIC). 115 patients were included in this substudy. The relationship between survival and OR or ETS were explored. Landmark analyses were performed according to OR at fixed time points. Cox proportional hazards models with OR and ETS as a time-dependent covariate were used to compare survival with factors known to influence OS. Results The OR rate was 29.5%. Responders had significantly better OS than non-responders (median 30.3 vs. 11.4 months; HR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.22–0.63], p < 0.001), and longer progression-free survival (PFS; median 10.1 vs. 4.3 months, p = 0.015). Patients with ETS ≥ 20% had longer OS (median 22.1 vs. 11.4 months, p = 0.002) and PFS (median 8.0 vs. 4.3 months, p = 0.034) than patients with ETS < 20%. Besides OR and ETS, male gender, lower bilirubin and ALBI grade were associated with improved OS in univariate analysis. Separate models of multivariable analysis confirmed OR and ETS as independent predictors of OS. Conclusion OR according to mRECIST and ETS in patients receiving sorafenib treatment are independent prognostic factors for OS. These parameters can be used for assessment of treatment benefit and optimal treatment sequencing in patients with advanced HCC.

Sorafenib-Regorafenib Sequential Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Institute Experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 611-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuomi Ueshima ◽  
Naoshi Nishida ◽  
Masatoshi Kudo
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Sequential Therapy ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Effective Treatment Option ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Grade 3

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

Resection and surgically targeted radiation therapy for locally recurrent GBM.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2054-2054
Author(s):  
David Brachman ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
Kris Smith ◽  
Theresa Thomas ◽  
Christopher Dardis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Local Control ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Locally Recurrent ◽  
Targeted Radiation Therapy ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Recurrent Gbm

2054 Background: Recurrent GBM (rGBM) is a diffuse disease, and resection (R) alone does not provide durable local control (LC) or prolong overall survival (OS). Hypothesizing R plus immediate radiation (RT) may achieve durable LC and secondarily improve OS by permitting time for subsequent potentially effective but biologically slower treatments to have an impact, we prospectively evaluated R combined with a novel surgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) device utilizing Cs-131 embedded in bioresorbable collagen tiles. Methods: From 2/13-2/18 patients (pts) with locally recurrent GBM were treated on a prospective single arm trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT#03088579) of maximum safe resection and immediate RT (GammaTile, GT Medical Technologies, Tempe AZ). Upon resection the at-risk areas of the surgical bed were lined with the GammaTile (GT) device, delivering 60-80 Gy at 5 mm. Follow up treatments were not specified but captured; no pt. underwent additional local therapy without progression, and no pt. was lost to follow up. We present study specified endpoints of local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AE), and a post hoc, hypothesis-generating analysis of outcomes by receipt of systemic (Sys) therapy. Results: 28 locally recurrent GBM were treated, 20 at first progression (range 1-3). Median age was 58 years (yrs.) (range 21-80), KPS 80 (60-100), female: male ratio 10:18 (36/64%). MGMT was methylated in 11%, unmethylated in 18%, and unknown in 71%. For all pts., median OS was 10.7 months (mo.) (range.1-42.3), and radiographic LC was 8.8 mo. (range.01-34.5). LC (defined as < 15 mm from surgical bed) was maintained in 50% of pts., and no first failure was local. 12 mo. OS was 75% for pts. < 50 yrs. vs. 43% for > 50 yrs. (HR.46, p =.009). MGMT, KPS, and sex were non-predictive. After R+GT, 17 pts. received > 1 cycle of systemic therapy (Sys), either as adjuvant or salvage, alone or in combination . Sys was bevacizumab (BEV) in 15 pts., temozolomide (TMZ) in 12, and lomustine (CCNU) in 8 (N > 17 as some pts. received > 1 Sys). Post hoc analysis disclosed a 15.1 mo. OS for pts. receiving > 1 cycle of Sys (Sys+, N = 17) vs. 6.5 mo. for no Sys (Sys-, N = 11) (hazard ratio (HR).38, p =.017)). LC was 11.4 mo. for Sys+ and 2.1 mo. for Sys- (HR.44; p =.16)). Median OS (mo.) for BEV+ vs. BEV- was 16.7/4.5 (HR.38, p =.017), for TMZ+ vs. TMZ- 17.5/6.7 (HR.40, p =.025) and for CCNU+ vs. CCNU- 17.5/7.9 (HR.61, p =.25), respectively. Three attributed AE occurred, 1 dehiscence requiring surgery and 2 radiation brain effects, medically treated. 4 unrelated deaths occurred < 60 days post-op, all in the Sys- cohort, impacting their opportunity for subsequent treatment. Conclusions: In this study local treatment alone was insufficient to achieve prolonged OS. Post hoc analysis suggests R+GT coupled with Sys may have potential to impact OS in rGBM patients. GT was FDA cleared in 2020 for use in newly diagnosed malignant and all recurrent intracranial neoplasms. Clinical trial information: NCT#03088579.

Experience with Sorafenib in 3 Hospitals in Sao Paulo

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 0-10
Author(s):  
Rogério Camargo-Pinheiro-Alves ◽  
Daniele E. Viera-Alves ◽  
Arthur Malzyner ◽  
Otavio Gampel ◽  
Thaisa de F. Almeida-Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Sorafenib Therapy

Introduction and aim. Sorafenib has been the standard of care for first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, a complex disease that affects an extremely heterogenous population. Thereby requiring multidisciplinary individualized treatment strategies that match the disease characteristics and the patients’ specific needs. Material and methods. Data for 175 patients who received sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma in three different hospitals in Sao Paulo, Brazil over a span of nine years were retrospectively analyzed. Results. The median age was 62 years. Percentages of patients with Child-Pugh A, B and C liver cirrhosis were 61%, 31% and 5%, respectively. Approximately half of the patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B disease, and the other half had stage C. The median treatment duration was 253 days. Sorafenib dose was reduced to 400 mg/day in 41% of the patients due to toxicity. Overall objective response rate as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and its modified version was 39%. Patients who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) at any point during sorafenib therapy were significantly more likely to experience an objective response. After a median follow-up of 339 days, the median overall survival was 380 days. Child-Pugh cirrhosis, tumor response and concomitant chemoembolization were independent prognostic factors for overall survival in multivariate analysis. Conclusion. Our results suggest that, in experienced hands, sorafenib therapy may benefit carefully selected hepatocellular carcinoma patients for whom other therapies are initially contraindicated, including those patients with Child-Pugh B liver function and those patients who are subsequently treated with concomitant TACE.

First-line avelumab + axitinib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Results from a phase 1b trial (VEGF Liver 100).

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4072-4072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Kudo ◽  
Kenta Motomura ◽  
Yoshiyuki Wada ◽  
Yoshitaka Inaba ◽  
Yasunari Sakamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Phase 1B ◽  
Grade 3

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

scholarly journals Novel Pretreatment Scoring Incorporating C-reactive Protein to Predict Overall Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Sorafenib Treatment

Liver Cancer ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Nakanishi ◽  
Masayuki Kurosaki ◽  
Kaoru Tsuchiya ◽  
Yutaka Yasui ◽  
Mayu Higuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Reactive Protein

A population-based analysis of prognostic factors in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 163-163
Author(s):  
Alan D. Smith ◽  
Winson Y. Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Conventional Chemotherapy ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Staging Systems

163 Background: Available clinical prognostic scoring systems for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were developed in the era of conventional chemotherapy. In 2008, the molecularly targeted agent sorafenib became the new standard of care for advanced HCC due to its survival benefit. The utility of these prognostic models in the setting of sorafenib is unclear. Our aims were to assess for new prognostic factors in patients treated with sorafenib and compare these with known prognostic systems. Methods: All patients diagnosed with advanced HCC from 2008 to 2010 in British Columbia, Canada and treated with sorafenib at any 1 of 5 regional cancer centers were eligible. Based on the established Okuda, CLIP, Barcelona, and French staging systems, we collected baseline demographic and disease characteristics of patients prior to receipt of sorafenib. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to examine for associations between these clinical factors and overall survival. Results: Of 183 patients identified, 152 were evaluable: median age was 63 years, 78% were men, average number of sorafenib treatment was 5.3 cycles, and median overall survival was 9.6 months. The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcohol-related liver disease were 32%, 15%, and 11%, respectively. Univariate analyses showed that poor performance status, presence of clinical ascites, as well as elevated serum AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin and platelet levels were each associated with worse overall survival (all p<0.05). In multivariate analyses, however, none of these clinical factors continued to be independently predictive of outcome (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Traditional clinical prognostic factors developed in the era of conventional chemotherapy do not appear to have the same prognostic utility in this contemporary Western cohort of advanced HCC patients treated with sorafenib. This observation underscores the need to identify molecular biomarkers that provide better prognostic information.

Landmark analysis of overall survival (OS) by objective response (OR) in previously treated patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC): Post hoc analysis of the randomized, phase 3 KEYNOTE-240 study.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16122-e16122
Author(s):  
Andrew X. Zhu ◽  
Stéphane Cattan ◽  
Philippe Merle ◽  
Bruno Daniele ◽  
Stephen Lam Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Landmark Analysis ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Landmark Analyses ◽  
Post Hoc

e16122 Background: Studies have shown that OR is prognostic of OS in pts with HCC. KEYNOTE-224 (NCT02702414) evaluated pembrolizumab (pembro; anti–PD-1) in sorafenib (sora)-treated pts with aHCC and showed an ORR of 17% that was durable in responders receiving pembro, ultimately leading to FDA approval. In KEYNOTE-224, a landmark analysis showed that OR in pembro-treated pts was prognostic of longer OS. The KEYNOTE-240 (NCT02702401) study evaluated pembro + best supportive care (BSC) vs placebo (pbo) + BSC in sora-treated pts with aHCC. Although clinical benefit was observed in KEYNOTE-240 with pembro vs pbo, prespecified statistical significance criteria for OS and PFS were not met. This post hoc analysis of KEYNOTE-240 was performed to determine whether OR at landmark is prognostic of longer survival after landmark time. Methods: Eligible pts were aged ≥18 y, had confirmed aHCC, and experienced progression during or after sora treatment or intolerance to sora. Landmark analyses of OS according to OR at 6, 12, and 18 wk after randomization were performed on the pembro arm to evaluate the association between survival after the landmark with response achieved before the landmark. OR was assessed by blinded independent central review per RECIST v1.1. Responders at each landmark were defined as pts with any response assessment of CR or PR before the landmark date; all other pts were defined as nonresponders. HR and 95% CI for survival after the landmark were calculated from the Cox proportional hazards model using Efron method of tie handling, with responder status as a single covariate. Analysis was performed on the ITT population. Results: As of Jan 2, 2019, median time from randomization to data cutoff was 21.2 mo (range 13.4-30.4) for pembro. In the pembro arm, 51 pts (18.3%) had a best OR of CR or PR and 6 pts (4.4%) in the pbo arm had a best OR of PR (no CR) (excluded from landmark analyses). OS after landmark time was longer for responders than nonresponders at the wk 6, 12, and 18 time points (Table). The HR for OS after landmark time for responders vs nonresponders was 0.37 (95% CI 0.18-0.75), 0.39 (95% CI 0.23-0.66), and 0.37 (95% CI 0.21-0.63) at wk 6, 12, and 18, respectively. Conclusions: This post hoc analysis showed that pts with sora-treated aHCC who achieved OR by landmark time with pembro have longer OS after the landmark time, confirming the prognostic association between OR with pembro and OS observed in KEYNOTE-224. Clinical trial information: NCT02702401. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Response Prediction in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1607
Author(s):  
Hao-Chien Hung ◽  
Jin-Chiao Lee ◽  
Yu-Chao Wang ◽  
Chih-Hsien Cheng ◽  
Tsung-Han Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Tumor Response ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Sorafenib Treatment ◽  
Small Series ◽  
Pre Treatment

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been applied to treat advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and obtain promising effects. However, tumor response to treatment was unpredictable. A predicting biomarker of objective response or disease-control is an unmet need for patient selection. In this study, 45 advanced HCC patients who failed to sorafenib treatment and received nivolumab, 3 mg/kg bi-weekly, were included. Tumor responses to nivolumab treatment were assessed by the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) criteria. Tumor responses were correlated to clinical characteristics to find out response predictors. In this small series, the prevalence of extrahepatic nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, and portal vein thrombus among the patients were 22.2% (n = 10), 48.9% (n = 22), and 42.2% (n = 19), respectively. The pre-treatment tumor size was 7.2 ± 4.2 cm in maximal diameter, and the calculated total tumor volume was 619.0 ± 831.1 cm3. Among 45 patients, 3 patients had partial response (PR), 11 had stable disease (SD), and the other 31 had progression of disease. By correlating clinical data to the patients with PR and SD, serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.04) and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) score (HR = 2.30) were the independent factors in multivariate analysis. By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, pre-treatment NLR ≤ 2.5 and PG-SGA score < 4 were the cutoff points to predict tumor response to ICI treatment. In conclusion, biomarkers to predict tumor response for HCC are still lacking in this costly ICI therapy. In this study, NLR ≤ 2.5 and PG-SGA score < 4 indicated disease-control, and can be applied as biomarkers to select the right patients to receive this costly therapy.

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