Lenvatinib or Sorafenib Treatment Causing a Decrease in Skeletal Muscle Mass, an Independent Prognostic Factor in...

Area of Science:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research
• Oncology
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern.
• Lenvatinib (LEN) and sorafenib (SOR) are standard treatments for HCC.
• The impact of these treatments on patient body composition and its prognostic significance remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of lenvatinib (LEN) or sorafenib (SOR) on body composition in HCC patients.
• To evaluate the relationship between changes in body composition and patient survival.
• To identify independent prognostic factors for HCC during treatment.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-seven HCC patients receiving LEN or SOR were enrolled.
• Body composition parameters (SMI, SATI, VATI) and tumor markers (AFP, PIVKA-II, ALBI score) were analyzed longitudinally.
• Statistical analyses included paired t-tests for chronological changes and Cox proportional hazards models for prognostic factor identification.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) were observed during LEN/SOR treatment.
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), PIVKA-II, and ALBI scores also showed significant chronological changes.
• Pre-treatment factors, AFP, PIVKA-II, ALBI score, and SMI were identified as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions:

• Lenvatinib/sorafenib treatment leads to a significant decline in skeletal muscle mass in HCC patients.
• Decreased skeletal muscle mass, indicated by SMI, is a crucial independent prognostic factor for HCC survival.
• Monitoring body composition changes, particularly skeletal muscle, is important for managing HCC patients undergoing targeted therapy.