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Camrelizumab a Potential Treatment Option for Patients With HCC
Camrelizumab was active with manageable toxicity in pretreated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a randomized phase 2 trial in China (Lancet Oncol. 2020 Feb 26. Epub ahead of print).
“This study aimed to assess the antitumour activity and safety of the anti-PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab in pretreated patients with advanced [HCC],” explained Shukui Qui, MD, Cancer Centre of Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China, and colleagues, who conducted this trial because obstructing interactions between PD-1s and ligands has shown promise in this patient population.
A total of 217 patients with advanced HCC were enrolled in this study between November 2016 and November 2017 and randomized to receive camrelizumab 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks (n = 109) or 3 weeks (n = 108).
The primary end points were objective response and overall survival at 6 months.
The median follow-up time frame was 12.5 months, and objective responses were experienced by 32 patients. The prospective 6-month overall survival rate was 74.4%.
Aspartate aminotransferase and decreased neutrophil count were the most common adverse events. Overall, 22% of patients had grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events.
“Camrelizumab showed antitumour activity in pretreated Chinese patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with manageable toxicities, and might represent a new treatment option for these patients,” according to Dr Qin and co-investigators.—Kaitlyn Manasterski
