Dr. Huey on Navigating the Landscape of HCC

Ryan W. Huey, MD, assistant professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Over the past several years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of systemic therapies that are available to patients with HCC, says Huey. Previously, sorafenib (Nexavar) was the only major player in the space. Now, there are a number of drugs that are approved for use in the frontline and second-line settings, including lenvatinib (Lenvima) and nivolumab (Opdivo)/ipilimumab (Yervoy), respectively.

Additionally, health-related quality-of-life data are coming out, says Huey. Even so, sequencing is becoming increasingly complex. Optimal sequencing strategies have yet to be determined since many second-line treatments are contingent on sorafenib’s use in the frontline setting. However, real-world data sets could shed light on sequencing strategies for patients who receive lenvatinib or the combination of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and bevacizumab (Avastin) in the frontline setting, concludes Huey.