KINDAI UNIVERSITY

Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Shows Promise in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

4 months ago

• The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab has shown significantly improved overall survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). • The CheckMate 9DW trial demonstrated a median overall survival of 23.7 months with nivolumab/ipilimumab compared to 20.6 months with lenvatinib or sorafenib. • The combination therapy also resulted in a higher objective response rate of 36% versus 13% with lenvatinib/sorafenib, indicating better tumor control. • The FDA has accepted the application for nivolumab plus ipilimumab as a first-line treatment for unresectable HCC, with a decision expected by April 2025.

TACE Plus Camrelizumab and Rivoceranib Improves PFS in Unresectable HCC

4 months ago

• The CARES-005 study demonstrated that adding camrelizumab and rivoceranib to TACE significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). • Median PFS was 10.8 months with TACE plus camrelizumab and rivoceranib, compared to 3.2 months with TACE alone (HR 0.34, P<0.0001) at a median follow-up of 13.6 months. • Objective response and disease control rates were also higher in the TACE-CR group, indicating enhanced antitumor efficacy with the combination therapy. • The safety profile of the combination was manageable, with adverse events consistent with those known for TACE, camrelizumab, and rivoceranib.

L-Arginine Shows Promise but Falls Short of Statistical Significance in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 Trial

6 months ago

• A Phase 2 trial of L-arginine in Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6 (SCA6) showed a trend toward symptom improvement, but the results did not reach statistical significance. • The L-arginine group experienced a 0.96-point improvement in SARA scores, while the placebo group worsened by 0.56 points over 48 weeks. • Two serious adverse events potentially linked to L-arginine were reported, including one fatality due to pneumonia and one case of reversible liver impairment. • Further Phase 3 trials with larger cohorts are needed to confirm L-arginine's efficacy and safety in treating SCA6, a neurodegenerative disorder.