Safety and efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing dialysis: a case series

Clin J Gastroenterol. 2024 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s12328-024-01946-7. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Three patients aged 79, 75, and 81 years with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were treated with a combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. The patients, respectively, received their 22nd, 2nd, and 4th treatment cycles, and one achieved long-term stable disease. No serious adverse events, including immune-related adverse events, were observed in any patient. Remarkable progress has been made in chemotherapy for cancer; however, the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy in patients undergoing hemodialysis have not been adequately elucidated. This report provides novel insights into the feasibility and outcomes of atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination therapy in patients with HCC undergoing hemodialysis, highlighting its potential as a viable treatment option with manageable side effects.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Hemodialysis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; IrAE.