HAIC Combined with PD-1 Inhibitor in Potentially Resectable Locally Advanced HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma patients are mostly diagnosed at locally advanced stage. Nowadays, hepatic artery interventional therapy and/or systemic therapy are the main treatments options for these patients. Our previous study showed that compared to than conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has better objective response, better safety profile, and increased resection rates. The PD-1 inhibitors emerged in recent years have shown good momentum in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The single-drug treatment on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has a tumor response rate of 17%, the disease control rate exceeds 60%, and the overall survival time exceeds 12 months. And it has good tolerance and less adverse events. In studies of other cancer, combined with traditional chemotherapy can further improve the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. Our study is a prospective phase II clinical study for patients with potentially resectable locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (tumor confined to the liver with invasion to branches of the portal vein or hepatic vein). Progressive survival (PFS) is the primary end point of study. The OS and overall survival rate, RFS, ORR, DCR, conversion rate, pathological response, and safety are the secondary endpoints. The efficacy and safety of HAIC combined with PD-1 inhibitor in the treatment of potentially resectable locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma will be discussed.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

70 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 years and 70 years.
2. Hepatocellular carcinoma: patients need to be diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) histologically before treatment.
3. Never received any anti-cancer treatment in the past.
4. potentially resectable Locally advanced HCC: with at least one measurable lesion (RECIST 1.1), and tumor(s) confined to the left or right hemi-liver, with macroscopic invasion to branch of the portal vein and/or hepatic vein.
5. No extrahepatic metastases.
6. No contraindications for the treatment of HAIC and PD-1 inhibitors.
7. KPS≥90.
8. Liver function: Child-Pugh class A.
9. The expected survival of the patient is more than 6 months.
10. Adequate hematological and organ function.
11. The following conditions are met:

    Platelet≥75×10\^9/L; White blood cell≥3.0×10\^9/L; Hemoglobin≥90 g/L; Serum creatinine≤1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN); PT≤3 second extension; total bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN； AST and ALT ≤2.5 x ULN.
12. Agree to accept postoperative follow-up required by the design of this study.
13. Patients must have the ability to understand and voluntarily sign the informed consent, and must sign an informed consent before starting any specific procedure for the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. In combined with severe heart, lung, kidney or other important organ dysfunction, or combined with serious infection or other serious associated diseases, that cannot tolerate treatment (\> CTCAE Version 4.03 adverse events of grade 2).
2. With uncontrolled hepatitis B (HBV-DNA\>2000 IU/ml and elevated ALT).
3. Multi-nodules hepatocellular carcinoma beyond hemi-hepatic range.
4. Patients with tumor thrombus reaches or exceeds the portal vein.
5. History of other malignancies.
6. History of allergic reactions to related drugs.
7. History of organ transplantation.
8. Pregnant women, nursing mothers.
9. Patients have other factors that may interfere with patient enrollment and assessment results.
10. Refuse follow-up as required by this study protocol and refuse to sign informed consent.

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• DERIVEDPan Y, Wang X, Peng C, Zhao J, Lu S, Zhang C, Wang J, Fu Y, Zhou Z, Chen M, Zhang Y, Xu L. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy plus sintilimab as conversion therapy for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center phase II trial. Int J Surg. 2026 Jan 13;112(4):9753-60. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000004692. Online ahead of print. PMID 41537370