Comparing the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with donafenib or lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

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e16153 Background: For unresectable Intermediate/Advanced-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (uHCC), the efficacy of TACE monotherapy has been unsatisfactory. Studies have shown that TACE combined with molecular targeted drugs exhibits potential synergistic effects, which can prolong the overall survival (OS) of uHCC patients (pts). Donafenib and lenvatinib are small molecule targeted drugs approved as first-line treatments for HCC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with donafenib or lenvatinib in the treatment of uHCC. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of uHCC pts treated with donafenib combined with TACE (Dona-TACE) or lenvatinib combined with TACE (Lenva-TACE) at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC from January 2018 to October 2022. The OS, progression free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) of two groups of pts were evaluated according to the mRECIST, and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) was evaluated using CTCAE 5.0. Pts with complete baseline information and at least one follow-up evaluation were incorporated in the final analysis. Results: A total of 105 pts treated with donafenib and 59 pts treated with lenvatinib met the study criteria. After matching with a 1:1 propensity score, 35 pts in the Dona-TACE group and 35 pts in the Lenva-TACE group were included in this study. The baseline characteristics of the two groups are similar (males, 85.7% vs. 85.7%; ECOG PS of 1, 74.3% vs. 71.4%; Exceeding up-to-seven criteria, 74.3% vs. 62.9%; BCLC stage C, 42.9% vs. 40.0%; Combination immunotherapy, 62.9% vs. 54.3%). There was no significant difference in median OS (29.0 vs. 27.3m, P = 0.748) and median PFS (10.5 vs. 10.3m, P = 0.869) in the Dona-TACE and Lenva-TACE groups. The ORR (85.7% vs. 74.3%, P = 0.969) and DCR (94.3% vs. 97.1%, P = 0.280) of the Dona-TACE and Lenva-TACE group were equivalent. Compared with the Lenva-TACE group, pts in the Dona-TACE group had a lower incidence of grade 3-4 adverse events (any grade, 94.3% vs. 91.4%; grade 3 or 4, 34.3% vs. 57.1%, P < 0.05). Among them, pts in the Dona-TACE group had a lower incidence of proteinuria (any grade, 22.9% vs 42.9%; grade 3 or 4, 0 vs17.1%, P < 0.05) and hypertension (any grade, 42.9% vs 71.4%; grade 3 or 4, 2.9% vs 25.7%, P < 0.05) than those in the Lenva-TACE group. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG PS score, up-to-seven criteria, and tumor blood supply were independent prognostic factors affecting OS (HR, 3.470, 3.619, 3.067; P < 0.05). Conclusions: The efficacy of donafenib and lenvatinib combined with TACE in the treatment of uHCC is equivalent. Furthermore, compared to lenvatinib combined with TACE, donafenib combined with TACE has higher safety.