Safety and Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PurposeTo explore the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). Materials and MethodsFrom August 2019 to July 2020, patients who received TACE combined with ICIs and TKIs were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate time to progression (TTP) and progression-free survival (PFS). ResultsIn total, 31 patients with uHCC were included. Eleven patients were classified as BCLC-C. Nineteen patients had multiple lesions, and the cumulative targeted lesions were 69 mm (range, 21-170 mm) according to mRECIST. Twenty-nine (93%) patients experienced at least one AE during the treatment. Four (12.9%) patients developed AEs of higher grade (grade >= 3). The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 64.5% and 77.4%, respectively. The median time to response was 7 weeks (range, 4-30 w), and the duration of response was 17.5 weeks (range, 2-46 w). From the first ICIs, TTP and PFS were 6.5 months (95% CI, 3.5-11) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 3.5-NE), respectively. ConclusionsTACE combined with ICIs and TKIs shows an acceptable safety profile and considerable efficacy in patients with HCC.

Automated summary

This study explores the safety and efficacy of TACE in combination with ICIs and TKIs for the treatment of uHCC. The results show that this combination therapy has an acceptable safety profile and considerable efficacy in patients with HCC.