scholarly journals Clinical and Genetic Tumor Characteristics of Responding and Non-Responding Patients to PD-1 Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3830
Author(s):  
Stephan Spahn ◽  
Daniel Roessler ◽  
Radu Pompilia ◽  
Gisela Gabernet ◽  
Beryl Primrose Gladstone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Therapy Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
Multicenter Analysis ◽  
Therapy Success ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) belong to the therapeutic armamentarium in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, only a minority of patients benefit from immunotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to identify indicators of therapy response. This multicenter analysis included 99 HCC patients. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were studied by Kaplan-Meier analyses for clinical parameters using weighted log-rank testing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in a subset of 15 patients. The objective response (OR) rate was 19% median OS (mOS)16.7 months. Forty-one percent reached a PFS > 6 months; these patients had a significantly longer mOS (32.0 vs. 8.5 months). Child-Pugh (CP) A and B patients showed a mOS of 22.1 and 12.1 months, respectively. Ten of thirty CP-B patients reached PFS > 6 months, including 3 patients with an OR. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) could not predict responders. Of note, antibiotic treatment within 30 days around ICI initiation was associated with significantly shorter mOS (8.5 vs. 17.4 months). Taken together, this study shows favorable outcomes for OS with low AFP, OR, and PFS > 6 months. No specific genetic pattern, including TMB, could identify responders. Antibiotics around treatment initiation were associated with worse outcome, suggesting an influence of the host microbiome on therapy success.

scholarly journals Ipilimumab and nivolumab/pembrolizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to prior immune checkpoint inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Sum Lung Wong ◽  
Gerry Gin Wai Kwok ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Bryan Cho Wing Li ◽  
Roland Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Advanced Hcc

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

scholarly journals Predictors of Response and Survival in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Treated Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Chang Lee ◽  
Yee Chao ◽  
Ming-Huang Chen ◽  
Keng-Hsin Lan ◽  
Chieh-Ju Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Radiologic Evaluation ◽  
Predictors Of Response ◽  
Pugh Class

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with nivolumab and pembrolizumab are promising agents for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but lack of effective biomarkers. We aimed to investigate the potential predictors of response and factors associated with overall survival (OS) for ICI treatment in unresectable HCC patients. Ninety-five patients who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab for unresectable HCC were enrolled for analyses. Radiologic evaluation was based on RECIST v1.1. Factors associated with outcomes were analyzed. Of 90 patients with evaluable images, the objective response rate (ORR) was 24.4%. Patients at Child–Pugh A or received combination treatment had higher ORR. Early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >10% reduction (within 4 weeks) was the only independent predictor of best objective response (odds ratio: 7.259, p = 0.001). For patients with baseline AFP ≥10 ng/mL, significantly higher ORR (63.6% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001) and disease control rate (81.8% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001) were observed in those with early AFP reduction than those without. In addition, early AFP reduction and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade or Child–Pugh class were independent factors associated with OS in different models. In conclusion, a 10-10 rule of early AFP response can predict objective response and survival to ICI treatment in unresectable HCC. ALBI grade and Child–Pugh class determines survival by ICI treatment.

scholarly journals Lenvatinib Plus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Improve Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaozhun Huang ◽  
Lin Xu ◽  
Teng Ma ◽  
Xin Yin ◽  
Zhangkan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
New Strategy

BackgroundNivolumab and pembrolizumab disrupt the programmed cell death-1 immune checkpoint and display promising efficacy and safety results in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the benefits remain limited. The preliminary results of lenvatinib (LEN) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) reveal that the combinations were well-tolerated and encouraging. This study aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of LEN plus ICIs in a real-world cohort of patients with advanced HCC.MethodBetween June 4, 2017, and June 30, 2019, 16 patients received LEN plus nivolumab, and 13 patients were treated with LEN plus pembrolizumab, with the confirmed advanced HCC retrospectively analyzed. The clinical parameters, as well as the outcomes, were assessed.ResultsAll the patients had Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer Stage C. LEN with ICIs was used as systemic second-, third-, and fourth-line treatments in seven (24.1%), 14 (48.3%), and eight (27.6%) patients, respectively. At the time of data cutoff, six patients (37.5%) were still receiving LEN with nivolumab, while another six patients (46.2%) were still receiving LEN with pembrolizumab. An objective response was recorded in seven patients (25.9%), while the best overall responses were from one complete response and six partial responses. The 6- and 12-month over survival (OS) rates were 62.6% and 53.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the 6- and 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 43.5% and 31.8%, respectively. In the subgroup analyses, the 6- and 12-month OS and PFS rates for patients treated with LEN plus nivolumab were 62.5% and 52.1%, respectively, and 43.8% and 30.0%, respectively. The 6- and 12-month OS and PFS rates for patients treated with LEN plus pembrolizumab were 51.3% and 51.3%, respectively, and 49.2% and 49.2%, respectively. A total of 11 (31%) deaths were reported in this study, four of which were attributed to grade 5 adverse events presented as fatal treatment-related hepatitis.ConclusionThe combination of LEN and ICIs is a promising new strategy for the treatment of HCC patients. However, high-grade hepatic toxicity was observed and further evaluation of this combination is still required.

The use of cabozantinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Hong Kong multi-center experience.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 316-316
Author(s):  
Yawen Dong ◽  
Thomas Wai-Tong Leung ◽  
Gin Wai Kwok ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Bryan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Advanced Hcc

316 Background: In the phase III CELESTIAL trial, cabozantinib showed significant improvement in overall survival with good tolerability in advanced HCC population. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, survival and tolerability of cabozatinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in a real life setting. Methods: Between February 2018 and October 2019, consecutive advanced HCC patients who received cabozatinib alone or in combination at University of Hong Kong Health System hospitals were analysed. Cabozantinib was administered at 60 mg continuously daily. Objective response rate (ORR), time-to-progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and tolerability were evaluated. Results: Overall, 22 patients were included. The median age was 57.1 years (range 48.5-58.6). All patients except one were hepatitis B carriers. More than 80% of the patients had underlying Child-Pugh A cirrhosis. Most patients had metastatic disease (95.5%). More than 70% of patients received cabozantinib beyond second-line, and most of the patients had prior exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and/or immunotherapy. The median time from the start of first-line systemic treatment to the start of cabozantinib was 11.2 months. Cabozantinib was administered to 11 patients (50%) as single agent, while the other half received cabozantinib in combination with mostly immune checkpoint inhibitors. The median follow-up was 7.6 months. The table below shows the ORR. The overall median TTP and OS were 4.2 and 8.90 months, respectively. Interestingly, among those who received single agent cabozantinib, the median OS was 5.36 months in contrast to 12.32 months in the patients received combination. Overall, 90.9% of patients experienced treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) with transient liver function occurred in nearly 50% patients. Nevertheless, Grade 3/4 TRAEs was only 12%. Conclusions: Our present study showed that the use of cabozatinib in advanced HCC patients had good anti-tumour activity and survival benefits with acceptable toxicity profile. [Table: see text]

An exploratory study of sorafenib plus toripalimab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS4658-TPS4658
Author(s):  
Yu Yang ◽  
Qiu Li
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Portal Vein ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
First Line Treatment

TPS4658 Background: Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is common among advanced hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC), resulting in poor prognosis. As the standard first-line treatment, the efficacy of Sorafenib is not satisfactory in HCC with PVTT. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have made a breakthrough in treatment of advanced HCC, objective response rate (ORR) of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody monotherapy is only 17-20%. Recently, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenesis therapy have shown good efficacy in the clinical studies. However, the data on immunotherapy for HCC with PVTT are still limited. Toripalimab is the first Chinese-produced anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody marketed. We designed the study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sorafenib plus Toripalimab as the first-line treatment for unresectable HCC with PVTT. Methods: The study is a multicenter, single-arm, phase Ib/II trial. The primary objectives are 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate and safety. Secondary objectives include ORR, disease control rate, PFS, overall survival. The escalation stage includes two dose cohorts: Sorafenib 400 mg po qd or 400 mg bid combined with Toripalimab 240 mg iv d1 q3w. 6-12 patients are estimated to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicity within the first 42 days of administration. In the expansion stage, patients are treated with the recommended dose based on the escalation stage, until progressive disease or intolerable toxicity. Assuming Sorafenib plus Toripalimab can improve the 6-month PFS rate to 40% (Sorafenib:20%, β = 0.2, α = 0.05) and dropout is 10%, this stage need 39 patients. A total of 45-51 patients are enrolled. Major eligibility requirements include: unresectable HCC with diagnoses confirmed histologically or cytologically, or confirmed clinically in accordance with Chinese guideline for HCC diagnosis and treatment (v2017); radiographic evidence of PVTT; age ≥18 and < 75 years; at least one measurable lesion according to RECIST 1.1; a predicted life expectancy ≥ 3 months; ECOG PS≤1, Child-Pugh class A or B (≤7); no any prior systemic anti-cancer treatment; adequate organ function. Patients with hepatitis B treated with antiviral therapy (viral load < 100 IU/mL) or patients with chronic hepatitis C can be included. The study is open and actively enrolling at time of submission. Clinical trial information: NCT04069949 .

scholarly journals The Use of Cabozantinib in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hong Kong—A Territory-Wide Cohort Study

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2002
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Sum Lung Wong ◽  
Yawen Dong ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Thomas Leung ◽  
Cynthia S. Y. Yeung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Life Pattern ◽  
Grade 3

(1) Background: Cabozantinib is approved in sorafenib-exposed advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). We evaluated the real-life pattern of use, efficacy, and tolerability of cabozantinib in aHCC. (2) Methods: This territory-wide study included consecutive aHCC patients who received cabozantinib between February 2018 and September 2020 in Hong Kong. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AE) were assessed. (3) Results: Overall, 42 patients were included. Approximately 83.3% had Child-Pugh A cirrhosis. About 64.3% received cabozantinib as a single agent, and the remaining 35.7% received cabozantinib as an add-on to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). For single-agent patients, the median follow-up was 6.7 months. The ORR was 3.7%, DCR was 44.4%, and the median OS was 8.28 months. About 74.1% of patients experienced any AEs with 7.4% having grade ≥3 AEs. Among patients who received prior ICIs (n = 16), the ORR was 6.3%, and the median OS was 8.28 months. An exploratory analysis of patients who received cabozantinib as an add-on to ICIs showed an ORR of 6.7% and a median OS of 15.1 months, with 73.3% having any AE and 13.3% having grade ≥3 AEs. (4) Conclusion: Cabozantinib had good anti-tumor activity, survival benefits, and acceptable tolerability in real-life aHCC patients.

Ipilimumab and nivolumab/pembrolizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to prior immune checkpoint inhibitors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 330-330
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Sum Lung Wong ◽  
Gin Wai Kwok ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Bryan Li ◽  
Roland Ching-Yu Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Antitumour Activity ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Advanced Hcc

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

scholarly journals Multi-Gene Testing Overview with a Clinical Perspective in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7154
Author(s):  
Martina Dameri ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrando ◽  
Gabriella Cirmena ◽  
Claudio Vernieri ◽  
Giancarlo Pruneri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Gene Testing ◽  
Repair Deficiency ◽  
Targeted Treatments ◽  
Recombination Repair ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the technology of choice for the routine screening of tumor samples in clinical practice. In this setting, the targeted sequencing of a restricted number of clinically relevant genes represents the most practical option when looking for genetic variants associated with cancer, as well as for the choice of targeted treatments. In this review, we analyze available NGS platforms and clinical applications of multi-gene testing in breast cancer, with a focus on metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). We make an overview of the clinical utility of multi-gene testing in mTNBC, and then, as immunotherapy is emerging as a possible targeted therapy for mTNBC, we also briefly report on the results of the latest clinical trials involving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and TNBC, where NGS could play a role for the potential predictive utility of homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) and tumor mutational burden (TMB).

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.

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

Liver Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Kudo ◽  
Kenta Motomura ◽  
Yoshiyuki Wada ◽  
Yoshitaka Inaba ◽  
Yasunari Sakamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Group Performance ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Recist 1.1 ◽  
Phase 1B ◽  
Grade 3

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

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