Highlight 4: hepatocellular cancer
Dr Jochen Decaestecker focuses in this highlight video on key advancements and noteworthy developments in the field of hepatocellular cancer.
Dr Decaestecker initially discusses the presentation delivered by Prof. Jessica Zucman-Rossi from Université Paris Cité. She provided valuable insights into the molecular analysis of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and its implications for clinicians in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Next, Dr Decaestecker delves into the topic of diagnosing HCC and screening and whether any new data has emerged in this area. He highlights a presentation given in Barcelona by Prof. Jordi Rimola, a radiologist associated with the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. Prof. Rimola’s presentation focused on the recently published guidelines on the Liver Imaging Reporting And Data System (LI-RADS) by the American College of Radiology. Dr. Decaestecker provides a concise summary of this presentation.
Dr Decaestecker proceeds to discuss several significant studies that have the potential to change clinical practice. Firstly, he highlights the four-year data from the HIMALAYA study. This study compares the combination of tremelimumab and durvalumab (known as the STRIDE regimen) with durvalumab alone and with sorafenib as first-line treatment for patients with unresectable HCC. Additionally, he mentions the results of the RATIONALE-301 study, which focuses on a similar patient population. In this study, sorafenib is compared with tislelizumab, a PD-1 monoclonal antibody. The study presented at ESMO 2022 demonstrated that tislelizumab is non-inferior to sorafenib. At the WCGIC congress, specific data concerning the subgroup of patients aged 65 years and older are presented. Lastly, a study that compares proton beam therapy with radiofrequency ablation for patients with recurrent HCC is discussed. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and potential benefits of these two treatment approaches.
Next, Dr. Decaestecker focuses on the use of systemic therapy in the context of unresectable HCC. He highlights a presentation delivered by Dr Ghassan Abou-Alfa from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, which discussed this topic during the conference in Barcelona.
Another important aspect discussed is the integration of new molecules for advanced HCC and determining the optimal treatment sequence. This consideration addresses the challenge of incorporating novel therapies into the existing treatment landscape.
Lastly, Dr Decaestecker mentions a meet-the-professor session dedicated to the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). During this session, practical guidelines were provided to clinicians, offering valuable insights for their clinical practice in utilizing TKIs for HCC treatment.
With the educational support of:
