Ann-Lii Cheng, MD, distinguished professor, Department of Internal Medicine, director, Graduate Institute of Oncology, director, Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, discusses the need for biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

This is the most important unanswered question in the treatment paradigm, Cheng says. In the past 10 years, the field has entered a new era of immuno-oncology. At this point, all the available biomarkers are nonspecific. An example is the number of T cells. This has been an effective biomarker for immunotherapy, but there are many subgroups of T cells that fight things like viruses and bacteria. Researchers need to find the T cells that specifically fight cancer.

The same applies to mutations in HCC, which Cheng calls “meaningless in immune-oncology.” It will be more effective to target the mutations that are antiangiogenic because these are associated with immune response.

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Ann-Lii Cheng, MD, distinguished professor, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Director, Graduate Institute of Oncology, director, Department of Medical Oncology, discusses the need for biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dr. Cheng on the Need For Biomarkers in HCC

Ann-Lii Cheng, MD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Director, Graduate Institute of Oncology, director, Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, discusses the phase III trial of lenvatinib (Lenvima) compared with sorafenib (Nexavar) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

HCC is one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer death, Cheng explains. In a phase III trial—the first which has shown positive findings in 10 years&mdash;lenvatinib was compared with the standard of care, sorafenib.

Lenvatinib was found to be associated with tumor shrinkage, prolonged duration of disease control, and an improvement in quality of life.

Ann-Lii Cheng, MD

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Dr. Cheng on the Need For Biomarkers in HCC

Dr. Cheng on Phase III Findings of Lenvatinib in HCC