Efficacy and Safety of Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Lenvatinib with or Without Tislelizumab as the First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus lenvatinib and tislelizumab (TACE-Len-T) versus TACE plus lenvatinib (TACE-Len) as the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 136 uHCC patients treated with TACE-Len-T or TACE-Len from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. Clinical outcomes including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. The risk factors affecting OS and PFS were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The median OS and PFS of the TACE-Len-T group were significantly longer than those of the TACE-Len group (Median OS: not reached vs 13.8 months, P<0.001; Median PFS: 13.0 months vs 2.7 months, P<0.001). The best overall objective response rate (ORR) was also better with TACE-Len-T treatment (ORR: 72.1% vs 29.4%, P<0.001), and the disease control rate (DCR) significantly increased in the TACE-Len-T group (88.2% vs 48.5%, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that TACE-Len treatment, tumor number >3, and cTACE were independent risk factors for OS, whereas TACE-Len treatment was the only independent risk factor for PFS. The frequency and severity of AEs in the TACE-Len-T group were comparable to those in the TACE-Len group (any grade: 92.6% vs 91.2%, P=0.753; grade 3 or 4: 33.8% vs 32.3%, P=0.855).

CONCLUSION

TACE-Len-T treatment significantly improved OS, PFS, ORR, and DCR over TACE-Len treatment, with a manageable safety profile in uHCC.