The EMERALD-1 Phase III clinical trial has demonstrated that immunotherapy administered in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) can delay cancer recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is the first trial to show improved clinical outcomes for systemic therapy in combination with TACE in this setting.
About Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
The liver is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for over several functions, including the secretion of glucose, proteins, vitamins, and fats; the production of bile; the processing of hemoglobin; and detoxification of numerous substances. Liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Factors that increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma include cirrhosis, long-term, heavy alcohol use, and chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses.1,2
Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that immunotherapy combined with Avastin (bevacizumab) improves the outcomes of advanced HCC and has become the standard of care.3 Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for cancer or tumors involving the liver. It is performed by specially trained “interventional radiologists” using real-time image guidance. TACE often require smaller incisions, has fewer risks of complication, and take less recovery time than traditional surgery.
About Imfinzi (durvalamab)
Imfinzi is a human monoclonal antibody directed against programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). PD-L1 can be expressed by cancer cells, and it helps them evade detection by the immune system through binding to PD-1 on cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Imfinzi blocks the PD-L1 interaction with PD-1, countering the cancer’s immune-evading tactics. Imfinzi empowers the patient’s immune system to attack the cancer.
About The EMERALD-1 Clinical Trial
The EMERALD-1 clinical trial was designed to evaluate whether TACE could be combined with immunotherapy-based treatment to further improve outcomes of individuals with unresectable HCC. A total of 616 patients with unresectable HCC across 18 countries, including North America, Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia participated in the trial and were treated with Imfinzi (durvalumab) immunotherapy and Avastin with TACE or with TACE alone and directly compared.6
The initial analyses of the trial reported that immunotherapy combined with TACE reduces the time to cancer progression compared with TACE alone. The average survival duration without cancer progression was improved from 10 to 22 months when Imfinzi and Avastin were combined with TACE, longer follow up is required to determine if this approach translates into an improvement in overall survival duration. Side effects for Imfinzi and TACE plus bevacizumab were consistent with the known profile of each medicine. More detailed data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.
Connect With Others for Support and information
CancerConnect was the first social network created for people with breast cancer. Founded by oncologists to support myeloma patients and their caregivers, over 40 million individuals have accessed CancerConnect programs since 1997. CancerConnect is used by leading cancer centers like Dana Farber, Roswell Park and The James at Ohio State to support their patients. Join the conversation, ask questions, share your experience, and learn how the best cancer centers are treating breast cancer from others. Share your experience, ask a question, or start a conversation by posting on CancerConnect.
References
- ASCO. Liver Cancer: View All Pages. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/liver-cancer/view-all. Accessed November 2023.
- WHO. Liver Cancer Fact Sheet. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/11-Liver-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed November 2023
- FDA approves atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
- Lencioni R, et al. Sorafenib or placebo plus TACE with doxorubicin-eluting beads for intermediate stage HCC: The SPACE trial. J Hepatol. 2016 May;64(5):1090-1098.
- Lencioni R, et al. Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review of efficacy and safety data. Hepatology, 2016;64: 106-116.
- https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)39728-3/fulltext
