1. Lenvatinib Might Induce Activation of Host Immunity in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
- Author
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Nagai, Hidenari, Mukozu, Takanori, Kobayashi, Kojiro, Nogami, Akira, Nagumo, Hideki, Mohri, Kunihide, Watanabe, Go, Amanuma, Makoto, Yoshimine, Naoyuki, Ogino, Yu, Matsui, Daigo, Daido, Yasuko, Matsukiyo, Yasushi, Matsui, Teppei, Wakui, Noritaka, Momiyama, Koichi, Higai, Koji, and Matsuda, Takahisa
- Subjects
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THERAPEUTIC use of antineoplastic agents , *BIOMARKERS , *NEOVASCULARIZATION inhibitors , *CANCER patients , *IMMUNITY , *TUMOR necrosis factors , *BLOOD testing , *T cells , *HEPATOCELLULAR carcinoma - Abstract
Introduction: Atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, plus bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is an approved first-line systemic treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors are more effective in patients with HCC when administered with anti-VEGF drugs; however, these drugs affect host immunity. Lenvatinib is an anti-VEGF agent used to treat HCC; therefore, this study evaluated the effect of treatment of HCC with lenvatinib on host immunity in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods: We studied adult Japanese patients with CLD and unresectable HCC treated with lenvatinib at our hospital. Lenvatinib was administered for 4 weeks (8 mg/day for bodyweight <60 kg; 12 mg/day for bodyweight >60 kg). Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 4 weeks of treatment and examined for immune-related changes. Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled in this study. We found a significant increase in T helper (Th) 1 cells following 4 weeks of lenvatinib treatment, although there was no significant difference in Th2 cells and regulatory T cells. We also found a significant increase in serum levels of TNF-alpha, soluble TNF-alpha receptor I, and endothelial growth factor following 4 weeks of lenvatinib treatment. Furthermore, an increase in Th1 cells and serum levels of TNF-alpha was found in patients with partial response. Conclusion: Lenvatinib might induce Th1-dominant host immunity in patients with CLD and unresectable HCC treatment in patients who showed a partial response. These changes in host immunity may be a biomarker in HCC patients treated with lenvatinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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