Dr. Finn on Treatment Considerations for HCC

Richard S. Finn, MD, a professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, discusses treatment considerations for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Frontline and second-line therapies for patients with HCC have expanded with the emergence of highly active combination regimens such as atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus bevacizumab (Avastin), Finn says. However, to optimize the benefit of these regimens, it is important to select the correct patients for treatment, Finn adds.

For example, patients who present with extrahepatic spread or macrovascular invasion are considered to have advanced disease. If they have an adequate performance status, they should receive treatment, Finn says. For patients with intermediate, liver-confined disease, locoregional therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization and yttrium-90 glass microspheres are emerging as promising options, Finn adds. Additionally, it is important to recognize when these novel therapies are no longer benefitting patients, Finn concludes.