In this article
Cabozantinib Improves Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine published on July 5, Cabozantinib’s overall and progression-free survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly better than the placebo group.
Dr. Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa from the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York City and colleagues randomized 707 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to receive carbotinib or matched placebo in a 2 to 1 ratio. Participants had received sorafenib treatment and had disease progression after one or more systemic treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma.
In the midterm analysis of the second plan, the trial showed that the overall survival of carbotinib was significantly longer than that of placebo.
Study Results: Survival Data and Safety Profile
The researchers found that the median overall survival of carbotinib and placebo were 10.2 and 8.0 months, respectively (hazard ratio for death was 0.76). For carbotinib and placebo, the median progression-free survival was 5.2 and 1.9 months, respectively. 68% and 36% of patients in the carbotinib group and placebo group experienced grade 3 or 4 adverse events, respectively. The most common high-level events are palm-plantar erythema sensation, high blood pressure, elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase, fatigue and diarrhea, all of which are more common with carbatinib.
The authors write, “In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma previously treated, treatment with carbotinib can result in longer overall survival and progression-free survival than placebo.”
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About Alysha Mendossa
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