Abstract
e15665 Background: Some animal studies showed that vitamin K enhances anti-cancer action of sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous examination suggested that it might be because the vitamin K suppresses des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) production of tumor cells under ischemic status caused by sorafenib. The DCP is known as a tumor growth factor and a tumor angiogenesis factor. In order to clarify the efficacy and safety of vitamin K dosing in sorafenib treatment, we have performed a single center, open label, randomized, phase 2 study. Methods: Forty-four patients with advanced HCC were studied. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio, to receive vitamin K + sorafenib or to receive sorafenib alone, stratified according to macrovascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread. The anti-cancer outcome was evaluated by modified RECIST. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline characteristics (gender, age, Child-Pugh status and background liver disease). The progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly prolonged in the vitamin K + sorafenib group compared with sorafenib alone group (median time 3.7 months vs. 1.5 months, P = 0.001, hazard ratio 0.35). The disease control rates were 55% in vitamin K + sorafenib group and 18% in sorafenib alone group (P = 0.012). On the other hand, median overall survival (OS) times were 12 months in vitamin K + sorafenib group and 11.5 months in sorafenib alone group (P = 0.27, hazard ratio 0.67). However, 5 patients (23%) of 22 survived for more than 21 months in the vitamin K + sorafenib group, while one (5%) of 22 did in sorafenib alone group. There was no significant difference in incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions: The vitamin K dosing safely improved anti-cancer outcome of sorafenib treatment against advanced HCC. Clinical trial information: 000007855.
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