Camrelizumab/rivoceranib significantly prolongs OS, PFS in unresectable HCC

Camrelizumab plus rivoceranib (apatinib) significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and improved overall response rate (ORR) for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) compared with the standard first-line treatment, sorafenib, according to a press release.

This is the first positive pivotal trial to show survival benefits with a PD-1 inhibitor plus an anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor for uHCC.

In this randomized, open-label trial, included 543 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive camrelizumab (200 mg intravenously once every 2 weeks) plus rivoceranib (250 mg orally once daily) or sorafenib (400 mg orally twice daily).

For camrelizumab + rivoceranib median OS was 22.1 months, median PFS was 5.6 months, and confirmed ORR was 25.4% compared with 15.2 months, 3.7 months, and 5.9% for sorafenib.

“The results from this large multinational, randomized phase 3 study confirmed the robust progression-free survival and overall survival benefit in the first line of uHCC patient population and confirmed our understanding of the clinical benefit this combination therapy may offer patients with uHCC. With the solid and consistent data shown not only in ITT population but also in each subgroup population, we are looking forward to providing a new treatment option for uHCC patients,” said Amily Zhang, Vice President, Chief Medical Officer (Oncology) of Hengrui Pharma.

Top-line data were included in the presentation at the Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

Read the full press release here.