A recent phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated that combining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with the systemic therapies lenvatinib and pembrolizumab significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with unresectable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study, led by Dr. Josep M. Llovet at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, found that this combination therapy extended the time patients lived without disease progression compared to TACE alone. These findings suggest a potential new standard of care for intermediate-stage HCC, addressing a critical unmet need in treatment.
HCC accounts for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. For over two decades, TACE has been the standard treatment for intermediate-stage HCC, but its efficacy has been limited. The integration of lenvatinib, a targeted therapy, and pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, with TACE has shown a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival. While a trend toward improved overall survival was observed, longer follow-up is planned to confirm these results. This combination approach represents a promising advancement in the management of HCC. Click for More Details
