Conversion hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with inadequate future- remnant- liver after portal vein ligation in combination with apatinib plus camrelizimab: A single-arm prospective pilot study (PLACES).

Abstract

e16132 Background: A variety of staged hepatic resection has been applied in patients (pts) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had an inadequate future-remnant-liver (FRL), but the clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Based on the clinical data of apatinib (a highly selective VEGFR-2 inhibitor) and camrelizimab (anti‐PD‐1 antibody) in HCC pts, we therefore evaluated the safety and efficacy of portal vein ligation (PVL) in combination with apatinib plus camrelizimab for primary HCC with insufficient residual liver volume. Methods: Pts aged 18-75, with HCC, Child-Pugh A status, BCLC stage A-C, preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min < 10%, and preoperative FLR/standardized liver volume (SLV) < 30% (for pts without cirrhosis ) and < 40% (for pts with cirrhosis ) were enrolled. Pts received PVL followed by camrelizimab (200mg, iv, d1 q2w) plus apatinib (250mg, po, pd, q2w) until surgical criteria were met. Pts underwent second-stage hepatic resection 4 weeks after treatment discontinuation, and continued treatment with apatinib plus camrelizimab for 1 year or endpoints occurred. The primary endpoints were resection rate of conversion surgery and ORR (objective response rate). Results: Between Apr 21, 2020 to Jan 20, 2021, 14 pts were enrolled in this trial. The estimated median preoperative FLR/SLV for all pts was 34.6%. Among the 10 evaluable pts, 7 met the criteria for surgery and 5 completed second-stage hepatectomy except for 2 pt who refused and waited for surgery, respectively. The median interval time of the two stages of surgery was 138.8 days. ORR was 40%, and disease control rate (DCR) was 100% (4 pts with partial response and 6 pts with stable disease). The other 4 pts are waiting for the evaluation. No adverse events (AEs) of grade 3 or worse occurred after PVL. The most common treatment-related AEs in pts during treatment with apatinib plus camrelizimab included hypoalbuminemia (36%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (100%) and rash (29%). Major AEs in pts underoing second-stage hepatectomy were pneumonia (100%), increased AST (100%), increased alanine transaminase (100%) and anemia (100%). One patient died of postoperative pulmonary infection. Conclusions: PVL in combination with apatinib plus camrelizimab followed by staged resection may be a safe and effective treatment option for HCC pts with insufficient FLR. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2000033692.