Single-center phase 2 trial of stereotactic body radiotherapy as a bridge to liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma

Whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a bridge to deceased donor liver transplant for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) is effective and safe is unknown. A phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial of 32 previously untreated uHCC patients at the University of Hong Kong found an objective response rate of 87.5% after SBRT for lesions as determined by dual-tracer positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, with significant factors associated with progression-free survival and overall survival identified. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 17.6 and 60.5 months, respectively. Of 20 patients who received a deceased donor liver transplant, 15 patients had pathologic complete response in the liver explants. The authors conclude that SBRT could be considered as an effective and safe bridging therapy to deceased donor liver transplant for previously untreated uHCC.