Dr. Janjigian on Data With Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab Combo in HCC

Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the improvement in efficacy and toxicity with patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq) when compared with sorafenib (Nexavar).

Results from the ongoing phase III IMbrave150 trial, which were presented at the 2019 ESMO Asia Congress, showed that the combination of bevacizumab and atezolizumab had a favorable toxicity profile when compared with sorafenib in patients with HCC. However, grade 3/4 adverse events were more common in the combination arm (57%) versus the sorafenib arm (55%). The combination of bevacizumab and atezolizumab was better tolerated by patients, and there was also an improvement in quality of life.

The median OS has not yet been reached compared with 13.2 months for sorafenib. This is a new form of treatment that could change the landscape of HCC, says Janjigian.