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Opinion|Videos|March 4, 2026

Systemic Therapy and Downstaging in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

Author(s)Stephen Lam Chan, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM , Gonzalo Cantis, MD

Stephen Lam Chan, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM, and Gonzalo Cantis, MD, discuss the use of systemic therapy to achieve downstaging in unreeseactable, nonmetastatic HCC.

Episodes in this series

EP. 1 Current Approaches and Unmet Needs in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 1 Current Approaches and Unmet Needs in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 2 Data for Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab and TACE in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 2 Data for Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab and TACE in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 3 The Role of Lenvatinib/Pembrolizumab Plus TACE in China for Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 3 The Role of Lenvatinib/Pembrolizumab Plus TACE in China for Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 4 Systemic Therapy and Downstaging in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 4 Systemic Therapy and Downstaging in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 5 Other Novel Treatment Approaches in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 5 Other Novel Treatment Approaches in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 6 Ongoing Studies to Watch in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

EP. 6 Ongoing Studies to Watch in Unresectable, Nonmetastatic HCC

Stephen Lam Chan, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM, and Gonzalo Cantis, MD, explore the evolving role of systemic therapy as a tool for downstaging disease. Chan reviews how immunotherapy-based combinations may increase the likelihood of tumor shrinkage sufficient to permit resection, transplantation, or ablation in selected patients. Cantis emphasizes careful patient selection and multidisciplinary evaluation when considering downstaging strategies, given variability in liver function and procedural eligibility.

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