In the first of this 4-part podcast series on HCC, Dr Rachna Shroff and Oncology Brothers Drs Rohit and Rahul Gosain explore the use of IO (immunotherapy) in unresectable HCC (uHCC) and take a deep dive into the different treatment options first-line focusing on IO and IO based combinations. Topics include: 

• Current first-line systemic treatment options for uHCC 


• Efficacy and safety of IO and IO combinations including practical aspects of identifying and managing immune-mediated AEs 


• How to select between the two first-line IO-based treatment options based on clinical factors and practical considerations  

Key clinical takeaways:

• Two first-line IO and IO-based combinations are approved for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with ongoing advancements shaping the treatment landscape 


• Clinical trials in newly diagnosed unresectable HCC patients have validated the effectiveness of IO plus anti-VEGF (atezolizumab + bevacizumab, IMbrave150) and dual IO (tremelimumab + durvalumab, HIMALAYA) approaches, establishing the proof of principle for these strategies 


• Landmark analysis is critical in IO-based treatments due to the delayed and continued separation of survival curves. Notably, the STRIDE regimen ( single tremelimumab regular interval durvalumab) shows one in five patients achieving five-year survival in long-term follow-up 


• IO and IO-based regimens for unresectable HCC are generally well-tolerated, with immune-related adverse effects manageable using steroids when necessary. 


• In clinical practice, treatment choice should be individualized, taking into account factors such as potential side effects and logistical considerations, including the frequency of hospital visits 

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This content is intended for healthcare professionals only.  

The medical experts in this podcast are expressing their own views and not those of COR2ED, Supporters or their institution. AstraZeneca has provided a sponsorship grant towards this independent programme. 

This podcast is developed by cor2ed.com 

Published on November 2024 

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