Immunotherapy Combination Strategies in Unresectable

Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) have been the mainstay of systemic treatment for unre¬sectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) since 2007. In recent years, important devel¬opments have led to the approval of several new agents, contributing to a widening of therapeutic options. Immunotherapy has represented a significant breakthrough in can¬cer treatment and a growing interest has been paid to its application in advanced HCC. Although phase 3 studies testing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) alone as first- and second- line therapy have failed to meet their primary endpoints, based on the poten¬tial interaction between antiangiogenic drugs and immunotherapy, new combinations of ICIs plus antiangiogenics were tested in patients with unresectable HCC with posi¬tive results. The combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab has been established as the new first-line standard of care. Further combinations are being evaluated in phase 3 studies and will further expand the therapeutic scenario in the coming years. Many specialists are involved in the treatment of patients with HCC, including hepatologists, interventional radiologists, surgeons and medical oncologists, and knowledge of new therapeutic options and approaches is essential to offer each patient the best treatment options and the best outcomes in various clinical settings. In this book we will cover the most relevant hot topics in the field of immunotherapy combination strategies for HCC, from scientific background to clinical practice. We will present the new systemic treat¬ment scenario for HCC patients, which is rapidly evolving, offering new treatment options to the patients and opening new questions to the investigators.