HCC-TAG Conference

Options for systemic treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have significantly expanded since 2017, when the sole available option was sorafenib. Now, the arsenal includes checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, and combinations of both classes of drugs.

Although the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has become the standard frontline treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, whether immunotherapy could play a role in earlier lines of treatment remains the subject of ongoing research.

Combinations of checkpoint inhibitors and VEGF TKIs, as well as dual checkpoint blockade, are affording patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma greater potential for disease control and deep, long-lasting responses, underscoring the need for biomarkers of response to combination regimens and single-agent TKIs, the latter of which still play a role for select populations.

Amit Singal, MD, discusses downstaging strategies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anjana Pillai, MD, discusses recent advances made in the HCC treatment paradigm, as well as what the conference will offer to healthcare providers working in the field.

Anjana Pillai, MD, discusses sequential treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anjana Pillai, MD, discusses the importance of multidisciplinary discussion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

There are clear biomarkers available to guide treatment decisions in the second-line setting for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, Lipika Goyal, MD, Mphil, said during a presentation at the 2020 HCC-TAG Conference.

By 2025, Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD, expects to see a larger menu of approved drugs and drug combinations for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, better use of molecular and immune signatures to guide treatment decisions, and, possibly, the chance to cure intermediate- and advanced-stage disease.

Riad Salem, MD, discusses the utility of locoregional therapy versus systemic therapy in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Amit G. Singal, MD, discusses the importance of early diagnosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Following a series of negative phase III single-agent trials in hepatocellular carcinoma, investigators are finding better results with immunotherapy combination regimens.

Clinical evidence shows that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who receive care that incorporates multiple providers from a variety disciplines leads to better results.

Anjana Pillai, MD, reflects on the first annual HCC-TAG Conference, her journey into treating patients with liver cancer, and remaining challenges in the paradigm

Yujin Hoshida, MD, PhD, discusses molecular subtyping in hepatocellular carcinoma.

David J. Pinato, MD, PhD, discusses the lack of biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Richard S. Finn, MD, reflects on data from the phase III REFLECT, RESORCE, CELESTIAL, and REACH-2 trials in hepatocellular carcinoma.

David J. Pinato, MD, PhD, highlights the clinical and biological challenges in identifying biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the potential introduction of biomarkers in the future.

Neehar Parikh, MD, discusses the importance of multidisciplinary care in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD, discusses ways to optimize treatment selection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Findings from the phase III IMbrave 150 trial represented the first time a treatment outperformed sorafenib for overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the HCC world was understandably excited, said Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD.