Efficacy and Safety of Combination Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Strategic Insights -

Investigators at the Guangzhou Medical University in China have published a new study evaluating the efficacy and safety of two combination treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The researchers analyzed the outcomes of 459 HCC patients who underwent either transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with molecular targeted therapies (MTTs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (TACE-HAIC-MI), or TACE combined with MTTs and ICIs (TACE-MI). The study found that while both treatments had similar survival outcomes, patients with favorable AFP response had significantly better survival outcomes than those with a poor response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed the outcomes of 459 HCC patients who underwent two combination treatments: TACE-HAIC-MI and TACE-MI.
  • The median overall survival (OS) of the TACE-HAIC-MI group was 23.9 months, while the median OS of the TACE-MI group was 21.7 months (P = 0.432).
  • The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups was 9.77 months versus 8.97 months (P = 0.45).
  • Six optimal latent classes of AFP trajectories were identified, with Class 3 demonstrating the median OS of 43.87 months.
  • Cox regression analyses showed that AFP trajectory independently predicted median OS and PFS, with HRs between 1.56 and 45.28.
  • The most common adverse events were elevated transaminase levels, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, and pain.
  • Nausea and vomiting were more frequent in the TACE-HAIC-MI group, while elevated transaminase levels were less common in the TACE-MI group.

Statistics:

  • 459 HCC patients were analyzed in the study.
  • 305 patients underwent TACE-MI, while 154 patients underwent TACE-HAIC-MI.
  • The median OS of the TACE-HAIC-MI group was 23.9 months.
  • The median OS of the TACE-MI group was 21.7 months.
  • The median PFS of the TACE-HAIC-MI group was 9.77 months.
  • The median PFS of the TACE-MI group was 8.97 months.
  • The most common adverse events were experienced by 65.3% of patients in the TACE-MI group and 63.6% in the TACE-HAIC-MI group.

Sources:

  • Comparison of the efficacy and safety of TACE-HAIC-MTTs-ICIs and TACE-MTTs-ICIs in the hepatocellular carcinoma: a prognostic analysis based on the dynamic changes of serum AFP. International Journal of Surgery, 2025;111(10):7041-7052.
  • Guangzhou Medical University
  • International Journal of Surgery can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.