Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma with inferior vena cava and/or right atrium tumor thrombus (HCC-IVC/RATT) has a poor prognosis and lacks evidence for standard first-line systemic therapy. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of three therapeutic regimens in HCC-IVC/RATT: immune checkpoint inhibitors plus molecular-targeted agents (ICI-MTA), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), and their combination (ICI-MTA-HAIC).
Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included consecutive HCC-IVC/RATT who received ICI-MTA-HAIC, ICI-MTA, or HAIC from June 2015 to December 2023. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics.
Results: A total of 355 patients were included: 209 received ICI-MTA-HAIC, 66 received ICI-MTA, and 80 received HAIC. After PSM, the ICI-MTA-HAIC group showed superior median overall survival (OS) to both the ICI-MTA (18.0 vs. 7.5 months, p < 0.001) and HAIC (18.5 vs. 7.1 months, p < 0.001) groups. The ICI-MTA-HAIC group demonstrated better median progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) compared to the ICI-MTA (PFS: 9.5 vs. 4.4 months; ORR: 47.0% vs. 21.3%, all p < 0.001) and HAIC (PFS: 9.5 vs. 4.4 months; ORR: 48.8% vs. 21.6%, all p < 0.001) groups. There was no significant difference in OS, PFS, or ORR between the ICI-MTA and HAIC groups (all p > 0.05). Grade 3-4 adverse event rates were 49.8%, 33.3%, and 35.0% for the ICI-MTA-HAIC, ICI-MTA, and HAIC groups, respectively. No unexpected events or treatment-related deaths were observed.
Conclusion: ICI-MTA-HAIC was a safe and effective therapy that prolonged the survival of HCC-IVC/RATT compared to ICI-MTA or HAIC.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12072-025-10777-8 | DOI Listing |
J Cell Mol Med
March 2025
Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Research Unit of Liver Transplantation and Transplant Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
The global incidence of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is on the rise, presenting a substantial healthcare challenge. The integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with molecularly targeted therapies is emerging as a strategy to enhance immune responses. However, the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of these treatments in BTC are still largely unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gastroenterol Hepatol
March 2025
Department of Radiology, Yunnan Cancer Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
This review provides an in-depth exploration of the evolving role of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, with a particular focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and their associated predictive biomarkers. We present a detailed analysis of established biomarkers, such as PD-L1, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as emerging biomarkers, including gut microbiota and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The predictive value of these biomarkers in guiding clinical decision-making and optimizing immunotherapy outcomes is thoroughly discussed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Acad Dermatol
March 2025
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA; University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Electronic address:
Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with poor survival rates. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were FDA-approved for advanced MCC in 2017, but their real-world survival impact remains unclear.
Objective: Evaluate whether ICI introduction in the US corresponded with improved survival.
Introduction: Systematic therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have now been approved as the mainstay treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, only a minority of the patients are expected to respond to TKIs and ICIs. Because early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DoR) might have the potential to predict survival outcomes, this study aimed to identify the optimal cutoffs for ETS and DoR to predict patients' clinical outcomes in their early treatment stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunity
March 2025
Blacktown Clinical School, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2148, Australia; Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2148, Australia. Electronic address:
Hepatocellular carcinoma is poorly responsive to immune checkpoint blockade. In a recent issue of Science, Varanasi et al. reveal how bile acids dampen anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses in the liver, contributing to cancer progression and poor immunotherapy outcomes.
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