Dr. Harding on Exciting Research Efforts in the Pipeline for HCC

James J. Harding, MD, regional director of Early Drug Development and medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, exciting research efforts being made in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Several multicenter, randomized phase 3 trials are ongoing, says Harding. In these trials, investigators are combining PD-L1 inhibitors with either antiangiogenic agents or TKIs, adds Harding. Results are anticipated from the randomized LEAP-002 trial, which is examining frontline lenvatinib (Lenvima) versus lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda). This study was prompted by some promising phase 1/2 data in HCC and in all solid tumors.

Another trial, the COSMIC-312 study, is examining sorafenib (Nexavar) versus atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus cabozantinib (Cabometyx). This study focuses on the same idea that if we block key disease receptors—particularly those involved with angiogenesis—and pair that with immunotherapy, we may achieve synergistic activity based on the biology, concludes Harding.