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Adjuvant sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: A cautionary comment of STORM trial.

ABSTRACT: Recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very high even after curative surgery, and no postoperative therapies have been definitively shown to prevent HCC recurrence. Sorafenib is proved to be effective for advanced HCC by two large randomized controlled trials in 2008 and 2009. Therefore it stands to reason to expect that adjuvant sorafenib may improve post-surgery outcomes of patients with HCC. However, many questions still exist about the value of sorafenib for patients with HCC after surgery or transarterial chemoembolization. In this editorial, we complehensively reviewed the safety and efficacy of adjuvant sorafenib for patients with hepatocellar carcinoma after surgery or transarterial chemoembolization. We emphasized the positive and negative role of sorafenib.

SUBMITTER: Zhong JH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4990759 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Adjuvant sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: A cautionary comment of STORM trial.

Zhong Jian-Hong JH Du Xue-Ke XK Xiang Bang-De BD Li Le-Qun LQ

World journal of hepatology 20160801 23

Recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very high even after curative surgery, and no postoperative therapies have been definitively shown to prevent HCC recurrence. Sorafenib is proved to be effective for advanced HCC by two large randomized controlled trials in 2008 and 2009. Therefore it stands to reason to expect that adjuvant sorafenib may improve post-surgery outcomes of patients with HCC. However, many questions still exist about the value of sorafenib for patients with HCC a ...[more]

PMID: 27621761

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Project description:BACKGROUND & AIMS: Sorafenib is the standard systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In early-stage HCC, survival benefits of resection/local ablation are compromised by high recurrence rates (70% at 5-years). In this setting, the phase-3 STORM-trial did not achieve its primary end-point of improving recurrence-free-survival (RFS) comparing sorafenib to placebo as adjuvant treatment. Herein we present results of the biomarker companion study BIOSTORM in which we define predictors of recurrence prevention with sorafenib and prognostic factors with B-level of evidence. METHODS: Tumor tissue from 188 patients randomized to receive sorafenib (83) or placebo (105) in the STORM trial was collected. Analyses included gene-expression profiling, targeted exome sequencing (18 known onco-drivers), immunohistochemistry (pERK, pVEGFR2, Ki67), FISH (VEGFA) and immunome. A gene signature capturing improved RFS in sorafenib-treated patients was generated. All 70 RFS events were recurrences, thus time-to-recurrence equaled RFS. Predictive and prognostic value was assessed using Cox regression models and interaction test. RESULTS: BIOSTORM recapitulates clinical and pathological characteristics of STORM patients. None of the biomarkers tested that are known to be related to angiogenesis and proliferation, or previously proposed gene-signatures, or mutations predicted sorafenib benefit. A newly generated 146-gene signature identifying 30% of patients captured benefit to sorafenib in terms of RFS (p-of-interaction=0.04). These sorafenib responders were significantly enriched in CD4+ T, B, and cytolytic Natural Killer cells, and showed absence of activated macrophages and other components of adaptive immunity. Hepatocytic pERK (HR=2.41; p=0.012) and microvascular invasion (HR=2.09; p=0.017) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: In BIOSTORM, hepatocytic pERK and microvascular invasion predicted poor RFS. No mutation, gene amplification or previously proposed gene-signatures predicted sorafenib benefit. A newly generated multi-gene signature associated with improved RFS on sorafenib warrants further validation. KEYWORDS: sorafenib; tyrosine-kinase inhibitor; trial enrichment; stratification.

Project description:BackgroundEarly recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major obstacle to improving the prognosis, and no widely accepted adjuvant therapy guideline for patients post-liver resection is available. Currently, all available methods and biomarkers are insufficient to accurately predict post-operation HCC patients' risk of early recurrence and their response to adjuvant therapy.MethodsIn this study, we downloaded four gene expression datasets (GSE14520, GSE54236, GSE87630, and GSE109211) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and identified 34 common differentially expressed genes associated with HCC dysregulation and response to adjuvant sorafenib. Then, we constructed a novel 11-messenger RNA predictive model by using ROC curves analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, and LASSO Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we validated the predictive values of the risk model in GSE14520 and TCGA-LIHC cohorts by using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariable Cox regression analysis, and decision curve analysis, respectively.ResultsThe risk score model could identify patients with a high risk of HCC recurrence at the early stage and could predict the response of patients to adjuvant sorafenib. Patients with a high risk score had a worse recurrence rate in training cohorts (2-year: p < 0.0001, hazard ratio (HR): 4.658, confidence interval 95% CI [2.895-7.495]; 5-year: p < 0.0001, HR: 3.251, 95% CI [2.155-4.904]) and external validation cohorts (2-year: p < 0.001, HR: 3.65, 95% CI [2.001-6.658]; 5-year: p < 0.001, HR: 3.156, 95% CI [1.78-5.596]). The AUC values of the risk score model for predicting tumor early recurrence were 0.746 and 0.618, and that of the risk score model for predicting the response to adjuvant sorafenib were 0.722 and 0.708 in the different cohort, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis and decision curve analysis also showed that the risk score model was superior to and independent of other clinicopathologic characteristics. Moreover, the risk score model had excellent abilities to predict the overall survival and HCC recurrence of patients with the same tumor stage category.ConclusionsOur risk model is a reliable and superior predictive tool. With this model, we could optimize the risk stratification based on early tumor recurrence and could evaluate the response of patients to adjuvant sorafenib after liver resection.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma waiting for liver transplantation are commonly treated with locoregional treatments, such as TACE and ablation, to prevent tumor progression and dropout and to improve long-term outcome after transplantation. We wanted to prospectively assess feasibility of systemic antitumor treatment with sorafenib as neoadjuvant treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma while waiting for liver transplantation, evaluating tolerability, toxicity and posttransplant morbidity. We also wanted to evaluate perfusion CT parameters to assess tumor properties and response early after start of sorafenib treatment in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS:Twelve patients assigned for liver transplantation due to hepatocellular carcinoma, within the UCSF and who fulfilled other criteria, were included January 2012-August 2014. After baseline evaluation, sorafenib treatment was started. Treatment was evaluated by perfusion CT at 1, 4 and 12 weeks and thereafter every 8 weeks. Toxicity and quality of life was assessed at 1 and 4 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter during treatment. Treatment was stopped when patients were prioritized on the transplantation waiting list or when intolerable side effects or tumor progress warranted other treatments. Posttransplant morbidity after 90 days was registered according to Clavien-Dindo. RESULTS:Baseline perfusion CT parameters in the tumors predicted the outcome according to RECIST/mRECIST at three months, but no change in CTp parameters was detected as a result of sorafenib. Sorafenib as neoadjuvant treatment was associated with intolerability and dose reductions. Therefore the prerequisites for evaluation of the sorafenib effect on both CT parameters and tumor response were impaired. CONCLUSIONS:This study failed to show changes in CTp parameters during sorafenib treatment. Despite the curative treatment intention, tolerability of neoadjuvant sorafenib treatment before liver transplantation was inadequate in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION:EudraCT number: 2010-024306-36 (date 2011-04-07).

Project description:BackgroundPhase III trials show sorafenib improves survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of narrow trial eligibility, results may not be generalizable to a broader HCC population. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of initial sorafenib versus no treatment among Medicare beneficiaries with advanced HCC.Materials and methodsPatients with advanced HCC diagnosed from 2008 to 2011 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database. Eligible patients received initial sorafenib or no therapy and were covered by Medicare parts A, B, and D. Sorafenib use and outcomes were described in this population. Using a propensity score (PS)-matched sample, we compared the effectiveness of sorafenib versus no treatment by Cox proportional hazards and binomial regression, using a landmark requiring all patients to survive ?60 days after diagnosis.ResultsOf 1,532 patients, 27% received initial sorafenib. Median duration of sorafenib use was 60 days (interquartile range [IQR], 30-107 days), and median survival from first prescription was 3 months (IQR, 1-8 months). In the PS-matched cohort, median survival was 3 months from the 60-day landmark in sorafenib-treated (n = 223) and 2 months in untreated (n = 223) patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78-1.16]). Sorafenib was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in mortality at 3 months (44% versus 51%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.72-1.07]), but no reduction thereafter.ConclusionSurvival after sorafenib initiation in newly diagnosed Medicare beneficiaries with HCC is exceptionally short, suggesting trial results are not generalizable to all HCC patients. The downsides of sorafenib use-high drug-related symptom burden and high drug cost-must be considered in light of this minimal benefit.Implications for practiceThe findings of a median survival of only 3 months in Medicare beneficiaries with HCC prescribed sorafenib as first-line therapy highlight the questionable value of sorafenib in this population. Patients should be cautioned that outside of the narrow confines of randomized trials, their life expectancy may be very short, and any benefit of sorafenib is likely to be quite small. Given that sorafenib causes considerable adverse effects and offers no symptom palliation, supportive care should be discussed as a reasonable alternative to sorafenib, particularly for patients who have a poor performance status or advanced cirrhosis.

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Adjuvant sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: A cautionary comment of STORM trial.

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Adjuvant sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: A cautionary comment of STORM trial.

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