Patient-Reported Outcomes Improve with Combination Treatment for Some Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

When compared to Nexavar (sorafenib) as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the combination of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab) produced better patient-reported outcomes in the recent phase 3 IMbrave150 trial, according to Dr. Peter Galle.

Galle, an oncologist at the Mainz University Medical Center in Germany, presented updated findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium that not only showed an improved overall survival for patients on Tecentriq and Avastain, but also a better quality of life.

Galle sat down with CURE and discussed these patient-reported outcomes, their implications for future treatment, and why patient feedback is a vital part of any study.

TRANSCRIPTION

The data was consistent throughout the different scales assessed. And there was also an exploratory analysis specific for hepatocellular carcinoma patients assessing their symptoms. And all these symptoms were also delayed compared to sorafenib. They included fatigue, jaundice, pain and others.

The implication (of this research) is that we now have not only a treatment which is efficacious and is working in patients, but also well tolerated. This is a nice addition to efficacy that patients do not suffer too much from therapy. I think it's increasingly accepted that patient reported outcomes are relevant. Whatever you do to a patient, you need to hear the patient voice, in order to learn whether the impact on the tumor is not coming at too high a price.