Multinational phase 3 trial of first-line camrelizumab plus rivoceranib versus sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

The benefits of immunotherapy in combination with an anti-angiogenic TKI in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) are unclear. A multinational phase 3 study evaluated first-line camrelizumab (C; anti-PD-1) plus rivoceranib (R; VEGFR2-TKI) versus sorafenib (S) for uHCC. The median PFS was 5.6 months with C+R versus 3.7 months with S (HR 0,52; p<0.0001). The median OS was 22.1 months with C+R versus 15.2 months with S (HR 0.62; p<0.0001). ORR, DCR, and DoR were also better with C+R versus S. The PFS and OR benefit with C+R versus S were seen in most subgroups. Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs occurred in 80.9% with C+R and 54.2% with S. The authors conclude that C+R could be a new first-line treatment option for uHCC.