Рembrolizumab as second line therapy for hepatocellular patient

Abstract

The optimal hepatocellular cancer (HCC) therapy remains a challenge. Due to checkpoint inhibitors patients with intolerance to the targeted therapy and or those with the impaired liver function can get an appropriate drug therapy. This clinical observation illustrates the long-term effect of pembrolizumab as the 2-line therapy in a patient diagnosed with. Sorafenib in standard doses as first line therapy led to severe toxicity and necessitated the withdrawal of therapy. Although subsequently the doses were reduced and concomitant medications used, sorafenib therapy was discontinued due to pronounced side effects typical of kinase inhibitors. From August 2017 to September 2019, as a part of a clinical study, the patient received 35 courses of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab 200 mg i.v. every 3 weeks, with satisfactory tolerance. The best response - partial tumor regression – was achieved at 84 weeks of therapy and continues to this day. Favorable toxicity profile makes checkpoints inhibitors a good treatment option in patients with impaired liver function (Child-Pugh 7–8 points) or with intolerable toxicity of kinase inhibitors.

Keywords

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• second line
• checkpoint inhibitors
• pembrolizumab
• sorafenib