Combination Therapy Shown to Increase Overall Survival and Progression-free Survival for HCC

Genentech has announced the results of a Phase III study which showed that atezolizumab (Tecentriq, Genentech) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) increased overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is the first Phase III cancer immunotherapy study to show an improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival for the treatment of the most common form of liver cancer.

The American Cancer Society has estimated that more than 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with liver cancer in 2019. The incidence of the disease has more than tripled since 1980 and HCC accounts for approximately 75% of all liver cancer cases in the United States. It typically presents at an advanced stage when there are limited treatment options.

The IMbrave150 study includes 501 people with unresectable HCC who have not received prior systemic therapy. The patients were randomized 2:1 to receive the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab or to receive sorafenib.

Atezolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds with a protein expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and may be able to re-activate T-cells. Bevacizumab is a biologic antibody that interferes with the tumor blood supply, which is believed to be vital for a tumor to metastasize.

In the IMbrave150 study, atezolizumab was administered intravenously, 1200 mg on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Bevacizumab was also administered intravenously, with 15 mg/kg on day 1 of each 21-day cycle.

The safety of the combination was consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medications, and no new safety signals were identified. The combination treatment met both of its coprimary endpoints (overall survival and progression-free survival) to demonstrate statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements compared with the standard-of-care sorafenib.

REFERENCE

Genetech’s Tecentriq in Combination With Avastin Increased Overall Survival and Progression-free Survival in People with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma [news release]. San Francisco, CA: Business Wire; October 21, 2019. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191020005095/en