Subsequent anticancer therapy after ICI treatment prolongs survival in HCC

Key clinical point: Compared with best supportive care (BSC), treatment with any type of anticancer therapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy discontinuation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a significant improvement in overall survival.

Major finding: After ICI therapy discontinuation, patients who received anticancer therapy vs. BSC showed a significantly improved median overall survival (12.2 vs 3.2 months; hazard ratio 0.4; P < .001).

Study details: This was a retrospective, multicenter study that included 420 patients with HCC who were treated with ICI followed by subsequent anticancer treatment (n = 163) or BSC (n = 152).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Wellcome Trust Strategic Fund, UK. Some authors declared serving as advisors, consultants, or speakers for and receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Sharma R et al. Patterns and outcomes of subsequent therapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor discontinuation in HCC. Hepatol Commun. 2022 (Apr 28). Doi: 10.1002/hep4.1927