Innovation in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma
A recent study conducted by the Clínic-IDIBAPS has highlighted the benefits of combining the drugs Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab in patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. This new combination has shown a 34% reduction in the risk of disease progression, as well as a notable improvement in progression-free survival, which has increased from 10 to 14.6 months.
Significant results from a global clinical trial
The study, published in the prestigious journal The Lancet, was based on a clinical trial involving 480 patients from 137 medical centers around the world. This research marks a major advance in the fight against one of the deadliest cancers of the last 20 years.
A paradigm shift in treatment
Josep M. Llovet, director of the hepatic oncology research group at IDIBAPS and professor at several institutions, highlights that this new therapeutic strategy represents a radical shift in the way hepatocellular carcinoma is treated. According to Llovet, the incorporation of the multikinase inhibitor and immunotherapy to chemoembolization can substantially improve the prognosis of patients.
Future prospects and monitoring needs
Llovet warns that, despite the promising results, more extensive monitoring is necessary to determine with certainty the impact of the combination of Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab on patient survival, as the current data, although positive, need further statistical corroboration.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: a medical challenge
Considered the most common primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma often develops in patients with chronic liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease. Approximately 25% of those affected are diagnosed in intermediate stages, where the tumor is inoperable but has not yet metastasized.
A treatment that has evolved slowly
For the past two decades, chemoembolization has been the standard treatment for these patients, which involves blocking the blood vessels of the tumor to cause it to die. Although this method offers a median survival of 20 to 30 months, attempts to introduce new treatments have been unsuccessful in most cases.
Final thoughts on the future of treatment
With the positive data from this new study, the treatment landscape for hepatocellular carcinoma could be about to change. Continued research and the implementation of new therapies could open the door to significant improvements in survival and quality of life for affected patients.