Tepotinib versus sorafenib for MET overexpressing advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian patients

A randomized phase 1b-2 study in mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan compared the highly selective MET inhibitor tepotinib versus the non-selective multikinase inhibitor sorafenib for treatment-naïve advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with MET overexpression. In phase 1b no dose limiting toxities were observed with tepotinib, and 500 mg once daily was chosen as the recommended phase 2 dose. In phase 2 tepotinib had superior activity compared with sorafenib. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 28.9% of tepotinib patients and 45.5% of sorafenib patients.