Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Institutional Experience

<b>Background:</b> Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) has emerged as a first-line therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC), improving overall and progression-free survival (OS, overall survival and PFS, progression-free survival) in IMbrave150. This study evaluates the real-world efficacy and safety of Atezo/Bev in uHCC. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was performed on 87 patients (median age 68 years) treated with Atezo/Bev at Houston Methodist Hospital between January 2020 and June 2023. Demographics, treatment patterns, radiological response, OS, PFS, and toxicities were reviewed. Atezo/Bev was administered per FDA guidelines (atezolizumab 1200 mg plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). <b>Results:</b> Of 87 patients, 78% were male, 71% White, and 70% had BCLC stage C disease. Most (60%) had Child-Pugh class A liver function, and 62% had viral hepatitis. Median OS was 15.1 months (95% CI: 10.57-25.97) and PFS was 9.1 months (95% CI: 7.4-21.07). Objective response rate was 31.3% (CR 7.2%, PR 25%, SD 52%, PD 16%). OS was longer in CP A versus CP B patients (21.2 vs. 5.2 months, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and in those receiving post-Atezo/Bev locoregional therapy (21.2 vs. 10.4 months, <i>p</i> = 0.043). Discontinuation due to toxicity occurred in 14%, mainly gastrointestinal bleeding and fatigue. <b>Conclusions:</b> Atezo/Bev demonstrated favorable real-world efficacy and manageable toxicity in uHCC, particularly in patients with preserved liver function or multimodal therapy.

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Publication Details

Journal
Biomedicines
Published
2025-11-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13122844
Primary Topic
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment and Prognosis
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article
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article

Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Institutional Experience

Ahmad Alhaj, Abdullah Esmail, Ebtesam Al-Najjar, Maryam Al-Rawi et al.
Biomedicines
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment and Prognosis
article

Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Combination Therapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Institutional Experience

Ahmad Alhaj, Abdullah Esmail, Ebtesam Al-Najjar, Maryam Al-Rawi, Vikram Dhillon, Maen Abdelrahim, Yaser Rayyan, Bayan Khasawneh, Yazan Hamdaneh
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) has emerged as a first-line therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC), improving overall and progression-free survival (OS, overall survival and PFS, progression-free survival) in IMbrave150. This study evaluates the real-world efficacy and safety of Atezo/Bev in uHCC. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was performed on 87 patients (median age 68 years) treated with Atezo/Bev at Houston Methodist Hospital between January 2020 and June 2023. Demographics, treatment patterns, radiological response, OS, PFS, and toxicities were reviewed. Atezo/Bev was administered per FDA guidelines (atezolizumab 1200 mg plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). <b>Results:</b> Of 87 patients, 78% were male, 71% White, and 70% had BCLC stage C disease. Most (60%) had Child-Pugh class A liver function, and 62% had viral hepatitis. Median OS was 15.1 months (95% CI: 10.57-25.97) and PFS was 9.1 months (95% CI: 7.4-21.07). Objective response rate was 31.3% (CR 7.2%, PR 25%, SD 52%, PD 16%). OS was longer in CP A versus CP B patients (21.2 vs. 5.2 months, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and in those receiving post-Atezo/Bev locoregional therapy (21.2 vs. 10.4 months, <i>p</i> = 0.043). Discontinuation due to toxicity occurred in 14%, mainly gastrointestinal bleeding and fatigue. <b>Conclusions:</b> Atezo/Bev demonstrated favorable real-world efficacy and manageable toxicity in uHCC, particularly in patients with preserved liver function or multimodal therapy.

BiomedicinesVol. 13(12)
University of Jordan (JO), Houston Methodist (US), Cornell University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 53%
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment and Prognosis
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