RuiRong Yuan, MD, PhD, Head of Oncology Medical Affairs at Daiichi Sankyo, discusses a phase II trial that compared tivantinib (ARQ 197) to placebo for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who failed one prior systemic therapy.

The international study enrolled 107 patients and randomized them 2:1 to receive tivantinib, an oral c-Met inhibitor, or placebo. Those who received tivantinib were initially given a 360 mg dose; this was reduced to 240 mg following the occurrence of high-grade neutropenia.

The trial found that progression-free survival (PFS) and time to progression (TTP) were significantly improved in those receiving tivantinib. Despite the initial toxicity observed with the 360 mg dose, the 240 mg dose demonstrated a manageable side effect profile. The trial also discovered that patients who tested positive for the 

 mutation demonstrated a significantly longer PFS and TTP than those who did not.

Overall, results from this trial will help establish a larger phase III trial that further investigates tivantinib in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Videos

Dr. RuiRong Yuan, from Daiichi Sankyo, on the Efficacy of Tivantinib for Patietns With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

RuiRong Yuan, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Yuan on Tivantinib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma