Purpose: Local in combination with systemic therapy might be an option for patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). This study examined the clinical benefits and adverse events (AEs) of first-line transarterial embolization (TAE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with atezolizumab (Atezo) and bevacizumab (Bev) in patients with uHCC of a diameter larger than 8 cm.
Patients and methods: This retrospective study included patients with uHCC of a diameter larger than 8 cm who were treated with first-line Atezo-Bev and TAE+HAIC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2022. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumor response according to mRECIST, and AEs were analyzed. Multivariable Cox analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with PFS.
Results: Thirty patients were included. The objective response rate (ORR) was 74.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.3%-89.5%), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 93.3% (95% CI, 85.4%-98.6%). The median follow-up was 11.4 (inter-quartile range [IQR], 5.5-17.9) months. The median PFS was 6.8 (95% CI, 2.6-11.1) months. The 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month survival rates were 86.2%, 82.5%, 68.6%, and 60%, respectively. The median OS was not estimated. Extrahepatic metastasis was independently associated with PFS (hazard ratio [HR]=3.468, 95% CI, 1.001-12.023). The most common AEs were fever (46.7%). Grade 4 AEs occurred one time as hematemesis but no 5 AEs were observed.
Conclusion: Atezo-Bev combined with TAE and HAIC might benefit patients with uHCC of a diameter larger than 8 cm, with manageable AEs.
Keywords: immune checkpoint inhibitors; large unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma; local therapy; systemic therapy; tyrosine kine inhibitors.
© 2024 Cai et al.