Complete response to pembrolizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with microsatellite instability

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has limited systemic treatment options and a poor prognosis. The immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab was recently approved for the treatment of solid tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI). However, its clinical utility for the management of HCC remains to be clarified. Here, we present a case of unresectable HCC with MSI that showed an impressive response to pembrolizumab treatment. A 64-year-old man with chronic HCV infection was diagnosed with a large HCC. His severe liver dysfunction and poor performance status prevented any treatment option other than sorafenib. However, sorafenib failed after a few days due to the rapid progression of the tumor. Based on the finding of MSI in a biopsy specimen, immunotherapy using pembrolizumab was initiated. A dramatic improvement in his general condition and a reduction in tumor size were observed after the initiation of pembrolizumab treatment. Among a cohort of 50 consecutive patients with advanced HCC who were refractory to standard systemic therapy, MSI was found only in the present case. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy induced prominent anti-tumor effects in HCC with MSI. Screening for defects in DNA mismatch repair function may be warranted in HCC patients despite the low frequency of MSI

Analysis of efficacy and safety in atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma 1)Early Tumor Response and Safety of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Real-World Practice 2)Risk factors for Early onset of Proteinuria in Patients Receiving Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

博士(医学)Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science広島大学Hiroshima Universit

A case of acute liver failure with echovirus infection diagnosed by a multi-virus real-time PCR system

Background: Multi-virus real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system is able to simultaneously detect 163 viruses using a multiplex Taqman real-time PCR system. We present a case of acute liver failure (ALF) of unknown etiology diagnosed with　echovirus 30 infection via multi-virus real-time PCR. Case presentation: A previously healthy 66-year-old man had a persistent fever and developed ALF of unclear etiology. Although viral infection was suspected, serological screening showed no evidence of acute viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, C and E, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, and varicella zoster virus. Multi-virus real-time PCR revealed the presence of enterovirus and echovirus 30 genomes, and reverse transcription-PCR using enterovirus-specific primers confirmed the presence of enterovirus genome in serum samples at the time of admission. Anti-echovirus antibody titers showed an increase in paired sera. In spite of multimodality treatment, the patient died due to multiple organ failure. Histological analysis in autopsy revealed extensive coagulative necrosis of the hepatocytes and immunohistochemical analysis showed the expression of enterovirus antigens in necrotic hepatocytes. Conclusions: We present here a case of echovirus 30 associated with ALF. Multi-virus real-time PCR is useful for detection of virus for patients with ALF of unknown etiology suspected of harboring a viral infection

Risk factors for Early onset of Proteinuria in Patients Receiving Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction Proteinuria is one of the adverse events of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy (Atezo+Bev) and can cause interruption in the use of Bev. However, the risk factors for proteinuria in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are receiving Atezo+Bev have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for early onset of proteinuria in Atezo+Bev for patients with unresectable HCC. Methods Sixty-four patients with Child-Pugh scores of 5–7, an eastern cooperative oncology group performance status of 0 or 1, and low level of proteinuria (1+ or less on a dipstick test and urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) less than 2.0 g/g Cr) at the initiation of therapy were analyzed. The level of proteinuria was evaluated based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. We adopted the UPCR for the quantitative test instead of a 24-h urine collection. The incidence of proteinuria and changes in liver function were retrospectively investigated. Results The cumulative incidence of proteinuria over a 24-week period was 34.4%. Multivariate analysis showed that a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio (HR), 3.807; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.579–9.180; p = 0.003), treatment for hypertension (HR, 6.224; 95% CI, 1.614–24.010; p = 0.008) and high systolic blood pressure (SBP) (HR, 2.649; 95% CI, 1.133–6.194; p = 0.025) were risk factors for proteinuria. Serum albumin levels and albumin-bilirubin scores in patients with proteinuria worsened. In addition, a mean SBP > 135 mm Hg during treatment was the only risk factor for the development of severe proteinuria (UPCR > 2 g/g Cr). Conclusion Our study found that controlling blood pressure is extremely important for the management of proteinuria in patients with HCC who are receiving Atezo+Bev

Evaluation of Response to Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using the Combination of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and Alpha-Fetoprotein

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy (Atezo + Beva) is currently positioned as the first-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). It may be difficult to decide whether to continue this treatment if radiological response is assessed as stable disease (SD). Therefore, the relationship between radiological response and prognosis was analyzed. A total of 109 patients with u-HCC and Child–Pugh Score of 5–7 received this treatment. Radiological response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and modified RECIST at the first and second evaluations. Of SD patients (n = 71) at the first RECIST evaluation, partial response, SD, and progressive disease (PD) were seen in 10, 55, and 6 patients, respectively, at the second evaluation. On multivariate analysis, in patients with SD at the first RECIST evaluation, a 25% or greater increase in the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) value from initiation of treatment (odds ratio, 7.38; p = 0.037) was the independent factor for PD at the second evaluation. In patients with SD (n = 59) at the second RECIST evaluation, decreased AFP from initiation of treatment (hazard ratio, 0.46; p = 0.022) was the independent factor related to progression-free survival on multivariate analysis. AFP trends could help decide the Atezo + Beva treatment strategy

Effectiveness of Repeated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma—Consideration of the Locations of Target Lesions

The present study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), including repeated SBRT, for hepatocellular carcinoma. Participants comprised 220 HCC patients treated with SBRT in Hiroshima University Hospital between December 2008 and December 2021. Median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 52 months (range, 45–64 months) and 17 months (range, 14–23 months), respectively. The 5-year local tumor recurrence rate was 3.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3–6.9%). Fifty-three patients underwent repeated SBRT (twice, 53 cases; three times, 10 cases; four times, 4 cases; five times, 1 case). Median interval between first and second SBRT was 20 months. Median OS from first SBRT was 76 months (95% CI, 50–102 months). Among patients with repeated SBRT, only one case showed local recurrence after second SBRT. Albumin–bilirubin score increased significantly from 6 to 12 months after repeated SBRT, both in the same segment and in remote segments, but the increase was not significant in the same segment. Only one case of grade 3 bile duct stricture was observed in patients who were treated with repeated SBRT. In conclusion, repeated SBRT provides good local control and a low risk of side effects

Effectiveness of Repeated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma—Consideration of the Locations of Target Lesions

The present study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), including repeated SBRT, for hepatocellular carcinoma. Participants comprised 220 HCC patients treated with SBRT in Hiroshima University Hospital between December 2008 and December 2021. Median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 52 months (range, 45–64 months) and 17 months (range, 14–23 months), respectively. The 5-year local tumor recurrence rate was 3.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3–6.9%). Fifty-three patients underwent repeated SBRT (twice, 53 cases; three times, 10 cases; four times, 4 cases; five times, 1 case). Median interval between first and second SBRT was 20 months. Median OS from first SBRT was 76 months (95% CI, 50–102 months). Among patients with repeated SBRT, only one case showed local recurrence after second SBRT. Albumin–bilirubin score increased significantly from 6 to 12 months after repeated SBRT, both in the same segment and in remote segments, but the increase was not significant in the same segment. Only one case of grade 3 bile duct stricture was observed in patients who were treated with repeated SBRT. In conclusion, repeated SBRT provides good local control and a low risk of side effects

Analysis of Lenvatinib’s Efficacy against Intermediate-Stage Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been the standard treatment for intermediate-stage, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). However, with recent advances in systemic therapy and the emergence of the concept of TACE-refractory or -unsuitable, the effectiveness of systemic therapy, as well as TACE, has been demonstrated for patients judged to be TACE-refractory or -unsuitable. In this study, the efficacy of lenvatinib and its combination with TACE after lenvatinib was investigated in 140 patients with intermediate-stage u-HCC treated with lenvatinib mainly because of being judged to be TACE-refractory or -unsuitable. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 24.4 and 9.0 months, respectively, indicating a good response rate. In multivariate analysis, modified albumin–bilirubin (mALBI) grade and up to seven criteria were identified as independent factors for OS, and mALBI grade and tumor morphology were identified as independent factors for PFS. While 95% of all patients were TACE-refractory or -unsuitable, the further prognosis was prolonged by the combination with TACE after lenvatinib initiation. These findings suggest that systemic therapy should be considered for intermediate-stage u-HCC, even in patients judged to be TACE-refractory or -unsuitable. The use of TACE after the start of systemic therapy may further improve prognosis

Analysis of Survival and Response to Lenvatinib in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The association between radiological response and overall survival (OS) was retrospectively evaluated in patients treated with lenvatinib as a first-line systemic treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 182 patients with Child–Pugh class A liver function and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of zero or one were enrolled. Radiological evaluation was performed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Initial radiological evaluation confirmed significant stratification of OS by efficacy judgment with both RECIST and mRECIST, and that initial radiological response was an independent prognostic factor for OS on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, in patients with stable disease (SD) at initial evaluation, macrovascular invasion at the initial evaluation on RECIST and modified albumin–bilirubin grade at initial evaluation on mRECIST were independent predictors of OS on multivariate analysis. In conclusion, if objective response is obtained at the initial evaluation, continuation of treatment appears desirable because prolonged OS can be expected; but, if SD is obtained at the initial evaluation, one should determine whether to continue or switch to the next treatment, with careful consideration of factors related to the tumor and hepatic reserve at the initial evaluation