Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Transradial Access Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Published on: September 20, 2020
Therapeutic potential of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice: Multicenter
Atsushi Hiraoka1, Takashi Kumada2, Kazuya Kariyama3
1Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Ehime, Japan.
Aim:
Lenvatinib (LEN) has recently become available as a first-line tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). In patients who showed intolerability or failure in other TKI treatments, alternative treatment options are needed. This retrospective study evaluated the therapeutic potential of LEN in clinical practice.
Methods:
We enrolled 57 u-HCC patients treated with LEN from March to June 2018. Lenvatinib was given orally to patients weighing <60 kg at 8 mg/day and at 12 mg/day to those ≥60 kg. Following the exclusion of patients whose initial LEN dose was reduced, 49 patients were evaluated in regard to their characteristics and early therapeutic response using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors for findings of follow-up computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations at 4 weeks after introducing LEN.
Results:
The average patient age was 72.4 ± 9.3 years and 38 (77.6%) were men. The LEN dose was 8 and 12 mg in 32 and 17 patients, respectively. Twenty-nine (59.2%) had history of treatment with sorafenib and six of them (20.7%) with regorafenib. Of the 49 patients, 27 were evaluated using findings obtained by enhanced CT/MRI at 4 weeks after introducing LEN. Partial response was shown in 11, stable disease in 12, and progressive disease in four (overall response rate [ORR], 40.7%; disease control rate [DCR], 85.2%). The ORR and DCR of TKI-naïve patients (n = 8) were 50.0% and 87.5%, respectively, whereas those of TKI-experienced patients (n = 19) were 36.8% and 84.2%, respectively (P = 0.675 and P = 1.00, respectively).
Conclusion:
Early therapeutic response to LEN was favorable. This new TKI could have therapeutic potential both in patients with and without past TKI treatments.
Insights
Lenvatinib shows promise for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). Early therapeutic response was favorable in patients with and without prior tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatments.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lenvatinib (LEN) is a new first-line tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC).
- Alternative treatment options are needed for patients intolerant or failing prior TKI therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lenvatinib (LEN) in clinical practice for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 57 u-HCC patients treated with Lenvatinib (LEN) from March to June 2018.
- Lenvatinib dosage adjusted based on patient weight (<60 kg at 8 mg/day, ≥60 kg at 12 mg/day).
- Early therapeutic response assessed at 4 weeks using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) via CT/MRI in 49 patients.
Main Results:
- The study included 49 patients (average age 72.4 years, 77.6% male).
- Overall response rate (ORR) was 40.7% and disease control rate (DCR) was 85.2% at 4 weeks.
- TKI-naïve patients showed an ORR of 50.0% and DCR of 87.5%, while TKI-experienced patients had an ORR of 36.8% and DCR of 84.2%.
Conclusions:
- Early therapeutic response to Lenvatinib (LEN) in u-HCC patients was favorable.
- Lenvatinib demonstrates therapeutic potential in both TKI-naïve and TKI-experienced patient groups.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug Analysis Methods
01:12Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials
01:13Therapeutic Index
00:52Potential Energy
Chemical bonds that form attractive forces between atoms also contain potential energy, called chemical energy. When a chemical reaction...
01:16Characteristics of Practical Op Amps
The ratio of differential gain to the common-mode gain is defined as the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). This ratio quantifies the ability of operational amplifiers (op-amps) to reject common-mode...
01:30Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Theories provide a perspective to assess patients' conditions and organize data and methods. They also assist in analyzing and interpreting information. They represent a...