GALNT14 genotype-guided chemoembolization plus sorafenib therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized trial

GALNT14-rs9679162 "TT" genotype is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). We investigated whether patients with GALNT14-rs9679162 "non-TT" unfavorable genotype benefited from chemoembolization plus sorafenib combination therapy.

Intermediate stage HCC patients were recruited for GALNT14-rs9679162 genotyping before TACE. Patients with "TT" genotype received only TACE, labeled as TT (TACE) group. Patients with "non-TT" genotype ("GG" or "GT") were randomized to receive either TACE alone, labeled as Non-TT (TACE) group, or TACE plus sorafenib, labeled as Non-TT (TACE + Sora) group. The latter group received sorafenib 400 mg daily plus TACE.

From October 2015 to April 2019, 103 HCC patients scheduled to receive chemoembolization were screened. Of them, 84 met inclusion criteria and were assigned to TT (TACE) (n = 25), Non-TT (TACE) (n = 30) and Non-TT (TACE + Sora) (n = 29) groups according to their GALNT14 genotypes. Repeated TACE sessions were performed on-demand and patients were followed until November 2020. It was found that TT (TACE) and Non-TT (TACE + Sora) patients had shorter time-to-complete response compared with that in Non-TT (TACE) patients (p < 0.001 and 0.009, respectively). These two groups also had longer time-to-TACE progression (p < 0.001 and 0.006, respectively) and longer progression-free survival (p = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively). However, TT (TACE) patients harbored longer overall survival compared with those in non-TT (TACE + Sora) and non-TT (TACE) patients (p = 0.028, < 0.001, respectively).

Combination of sorafenib and TACE for "non-TT" patients partially overcame the genetic disadvantage on treatment outcomes in terms of time-to-complete response, time-to-TACE progression and progression-free survival.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02504983.