TKIs in combination with immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Bernardo Stefanini1,2, Luca Ielasi1,2, Rusi Chen1,2
1Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|February 16, 2023
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment has evolved with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Combination therapies show promise, but optimal sequencing and selection require further research.
Area of Science:
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Research
- Cancer Immunology
- Pharmacological Treatments
Background:
- The treatment landscape for HCC has rapidly evolved, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) emerging as key systemic therapies.
- Angiogenesis and immune evasion are critical hallmarks of HCC pathogenesis, driving the need for targeted therapeutic strategies.
Approach:
- This review examines the rationale, efficacy, and safety of current and emerging combination treatments involving ICIs and TKIs in HCC.
- It analyzes clinical trial data for these combinatorial approaches to assess their therapeutic potential.
Key Points:
- The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab represents a significant advancement in first-line treatment for advanced HCC.
- Understanding the tumor microenvironment's immunological features is crucial for developing effective HCC therapies.
- Optimizing second-line treatment strategies and patient selection for therapies remains a critical challenge.
Conclusions:
- While combination therapies offer improved efficacy, further studies are needed to establish optimal treatment sequences and selection criteria.
- Future research should focus on enhancing treatment effectiveness to improve outcomes and reduce HCC lethality.
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