Abstract
PURPOSE: Combining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with systemic therapy has shown significant efficacy for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study aimed to validate the therapeutic efficacy of TACE combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (TACE + Atez/Bev) compared to TACE alone. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted across three centers in China, encompassing 155 patients at the intermediate-stage of HCC. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to minimize selection bias, with a ratio of 1:1. Primary outcomes were TACE-specific Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Disease Control Rate (DCR) were assessed based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Adverse events (AEs) related to treatment were analyzed to evaluate safety. RESULTS: Before PSM, the TACE + Atez/Bev group demonstrated extended median OS (not reached vs 20.3 months, P = 0.004) and PFS (20.0 months vs 9.8 months, P = 0.029) compared to the TACE-alone group. The TACE + Atez/Bev group also had a higher ORR (60.9% vs 41.3%, P = 0.026) and DCR (89.1% vs 58.7%, P < 0.001) than the TACE-alone group. After applying the PSM, the study included 42 pairs of patients. Compared to the TACE-alone group, the combination therapy group also showed significantly longer median OS (not reached vs 21.4 months, P = 0.008) and PFS (21.7 vs 9.7 months, P = 0.009). The combination therapy group also had a higher ORR (66.7% vs 38.1%, P = 0.009) and DCR (92.9% vs 57.1%, P < 0.001). AEs in the combination therapy group were mostly manageable, with the most common being elevated liver transaminase. CONCLUSION: In treating intermediate-stage HCC, the survival benefit of combining TACE with atezolizumab and bevacizumab was significantly higher than TACE alone, and the treatment was well-tolerated.