Dr. Thomas Discusses the Potential Utility for PF-03446962 in HCC

Melanie B. Thomas, MD, medical oncologist, associate director for clinical trials, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, discusses the potential utility for the monoclonal antibody PF-03446962 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Treating HCC is challenging because most patients have underlying liver disease, which causes tolerability issues, Thomas says.

PF-03446962, a fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody against ALK-1, was given to patients intravenously over several weeks. Thomas says the agent was extremely well tolerated with only some minor rash being observed.

A trial is being designed to examine this agent compared with placebo/best supportive care in the second-line setting. Thomas says the randomization will be 2:1, so patients will be twice as likely to get the study drug.