Dr. Finn on Considerations for Lenvatinib in Liver Cancer

Richard Finn, MD, associate professor of medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, discusses data showing the efficacy of lenvatinib (Lenvima) as a treatment of patients with liver cancer.

Recent clinical trials showed equivalent survival data between lenvatinib and the frontline standard of care sorafenib (Nexavar). Looking at incorporating lenvatinib into the treatment paradigm, Finn says oncologists will have to look at patient factors like comorbidities and underlying liver disease. The tumor profile should also be considered because there are some patients in whom a response is more important than stable disease. Historically, responses haven’t necessarily correlated with an improvement in survival, but for patients with high tumor mutation burden, the best treatment option seems to be what would yield the best response.

Finn adds that lenvatinib and sorafenib also have different mechanisms of action. Engagement of the FGFR molecule is what sets these agents apart.