New Research on Liver Cancer Treatment Reveals Promising Biomarkers for Immunotherapy Selection

Strategic Insights -

A multicenter study conducted at Teine Keijinkai Hospital in Sapporo, Japan, has identified a modified tumor marker score that can help predict treatment outcomes for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study, published in the journal Liver Cancer, found that the score, which incorporates alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels, can distinguish between two standard first-line therapies for HCC: atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) and durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre). The research suggests that Atez/Bev may be preferable for patients with low modified tumor marker (mTM) scores, while Dur/Tre may provide greater benefit for those with elevated DCP levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 1,313 patients with unresectable HCC, of which 1,157 were treated with Atez/Bev and 156 with Dur/Tre.
  • The modified tumor marker (mTM) score was defined based on baseline AFP and DCP levels, with one point assigned to each elevated marker.
  • Patients were categorized as mTM low (score 0) or mTM high (score 1-2).
  • Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models, with inverse probability of treatment weighting applied for confounder adjustment.
  • Among the mTM low patients, Atez/Bev was associated with significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (11.5 vs. 4.4 months).
  • Dur/Tre was associated with improved PFS among patients with elevated DCP levels.
  • The study concluded that prospective validation is warranted to refine the optimal cutoff values for clinical implementation.

Statistics:

  • The study involved 1,313 patients with unresectable HCC.
  • 1,157 patients were treated with Atez/Bev, while 156 were treated with Dur/Tre.
  • The mTM score was defined based on baseline AFP and DCP levels, with one point assigned to each elevated marker.
  • Patients with mTM low scores (0) had a median PFS of 11.5 months with Atez/Bev, compared to 4.4 months with Dur/Tre.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from Teine Keijinkai Hospital Describe Findings in Liver Cancer (Alpha-Fetoprotein and Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin-Based Tumor Marker Score for First-Line Immunotherapy Selection in Hepatocellular Carcinoma). Cancer Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 4260.
  • Alpha-Fetoprotein and Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin-Based Tumor Marker Score for First-Line Immunotherapy Selection in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer, 2025:1-17.
  • Karger. Liver Cancer. Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland. (www.karger.com/)
  • Karger. Karger, Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland. (Karger - www.karger.com/; Liver Cancer - content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=JournalHome&ProduktNr=255487)