Lenvatinib combined with sintilimab plus transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious global health problem because current treatments have limited efficacy for treating HCC patients, especially those with advanced-stage HCC. Recently, combination therapy has shown better trends in tumour response and survival than monotherapy. However, research on triple therapy [lenvatinib + sintilimab + transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)] as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC is limited.

Research motivation

Although current studies of advanced HCC indicate promising efficiency of tyrosine kinase inhibitors or death protein-1 inhibitors, the objective response rate remains unsatisfactory.

Research objectives

The study evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of triple therapy in HCC patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C.

Research methods

The primary outcome of the study was overall survival. The secondary outcomes were the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and incidence of adverse events.

Research results

The ORR and DCR were 45% and 90%, respectively. Common complications were observed in 76% of the patients (grade 3, 15%; grade 4, 2.5%).

Research conclusions

Combination therapy comprising lenvatinib, sintilimab and TACE achieved promising outcomes in advanced HCC patients and had manageable effects.

Research perspectives

More multicentre prospective studies are needed.