Nivolumab (NIVO) and drug eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (deb-TACE): Updated results from an ongoing phase 1 study of patients (pts) with liver limited hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Abstract

437 Background: TACE is a standard of care for liver limited HCC and impacts the immune microenvironment, potentially augmenting the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Methods: This is a multicenter phase 1 study of NIVO and deb-TACE in unresectable HCC pts and Child Pugh A cirrhosis (NCT03143270). The primary objective is to assess safety. Secondary objectives include response rate by RECIST v1.1, progression-free and overall survival by Kaplan-Meier methodology, and blood/tumor immune correlates. A 3 + 3 design with expansion cohort sequentially evaluates 3 cohorts of differing schedules of NIVO relative to deb-TACE. Deb-TACE (75mg of doxorubicin) is administered on Day 0. NIVO is dosed at 240mg IV every 14 days for 1 year (Cohort 1: NIVO begins day +14 after deb-TACE; Cohort 2, interrupted NIVO dosing begins at Day -28 but is held on the Day 0 then restarted on Day +14; Cohort 3, continuous NIVO dosing begins on Day -28 without interruption). Results: As of September 2021, 19 pts were treated [median 67 years (range: 54-78), male (80%), ECOG PS 0 (47%), Child Pugh A (100%), 3 pts in each cohort 1 and 2, 13 pts in cohort 3]. No cases of treatment related liver failure or Grade 5 adverse events (AEs) were observed. 1 DLT of Grade 3 transaminitis was observed in cohort 3 and resolved without intervention and did not recur with drug rechallenge. Median ALT at baseline, day 28, day 56, and end of treatment (EOT) were 27, 43.5, 36.5, and 29 U/L. Median bilirubin at baseline, day 28, day 56, and EOT were 0.6, 0.6, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/dL. Mean ALBI score at baseline (N=19) and EOT (N=14) were -2.75 ± 0.48 vs. -2.55 ± 0.50. The most common treatment-related AEs of any grade were fatigue (53%), ALT/AST increase (42%), fever (37%), and pruritis (32%). The objective response rate by RECIST v 1.1 was 21% (Table). 5/19 pts remained on study with SD or better for ≥12 (range 12-43) months. Updated survival analysis will be presented at the meeting; correlatives at a separate venue. Conclusions: Nivolumab administered with deb-TACE is safe with antitumor activity. This study provides a needed benchmark for the safety of embolization along with anti-PD1 therapy in liver limited HCC. The clinical question of combining immunotherapy with embolization to improve outcome over embolization alone remains investigational and several, pivotal, phase 3 studies are ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03143270. [Table: see text]