Combination Medication Enhances Response Rate for Liver Cancer Patients
A phase 2 clinical research study has revealed promising results for liver cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The study focused on a combination therapy that included bavituximab, a medication that targets a fatty molecule called phosphatidylserine. This molecule is exploited by liver cancer cells to evade immune cells and avoid identification and attack.
Previous research conducted in 2016 found that bavituximab significantly increased the response of liver tumors to pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy medicine approved for cancer treatment. In earlier studies, pembrolizumab alone had a response rate of 16%. However, when combined with bavituximab and liver cancer therapy, the response rate increased to 32%.
The researchers noted that pembrolizumab not only blocks the mechanism through which liver cancer cells escape immune responses but also targets a different mechanism than bavituximab. Dr. David Hsieh, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, expressed excitement about the study’s findings, highlighting the potential to improve the success of cancer immunotherapies by simultaneously targeting other immunomodulating proteins.
Development of Combined Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. Until recently, only patients with HCC tumors that could not be surgically removed were eligible for treatment with sorafenib, a medication that slows the growth of tumor-feeding blood vessels. However, sorafenib only extends survival by a few months.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for HCC, but unfortunately, only a small percentage of patients respond to these medications when used alone. Additionally, combining multiple immunotherapies significantly increases the risk of serious and even fatal adverse effects.
Encouraging Results from the Trial
The phase 2 clinical trial recruited 28 patients with HCC to undergo the combination therapy of bavituximab and pembrolizumab. The patients’ progress was monitored for an average of 29 months. At the end of the study, imaging tests revealed that two patients had experienced a complete response, with no evidence of liver cancer.
Furthermore, 32% of the patients experienced a halt in the progression of their disease after receiving the combination therapy. For those who responded, the combination medication continued to shrink tumors for an average of 13 months. Even after the research concluded, four patients continued to respond positively to the combination therapy.
Minimizing Adverse Effects
One important finding from the study was that adding bavituximab did not seem to increase adverse effects compared to using pembrolizumab alone. This is a significant factor in considering the potential of adding bavituximab to immunotherapy regimens for other types of tumors. By enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy while minimizing side effects, researchers hope to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the phase 2 clinical research study has demonstrated that the combination therapy of bavituximab and pembrolizumab holds promise for improving the response rate in liver cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The study’s findings highlight the potential of targeting multiple immunomodulating proteins simultaneously to enhance the success of cancer immunotherapies. With further development and research, this combination treatment could offer new hope for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and potentially other types of tumors as well.