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Systematic ReviewOpen Accesscc iconby iconnc iconnd icon

Outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with sorafenib: a meta-analysis of Phase III trials

    Giuseppe Cabibbo

    Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    ,
    Alessandro Cucchetti

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: aleqko@libero.it

    Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences – DIMEC; Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    ,
    Calogero Cammà

    Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    ,
    Andrea Casadei-Gardini

    Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, Division of Medical Oncology, Policlinico di Modena Azienda Ospedaliera – Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy

    ,
    Ciro Celsa

    Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    ,
    Giacomo Emanuele Maria Rizzo

    Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    ,
    Philip Johnson

    Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, The Duncan Building, Daulby Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    &
    Giorgio Ercolani

    Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences – DIMEC; Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2019-0287

    Aim: To benchmark overall survival (OS) and time to radiological progression (TTP) of patients enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma using individual participant survival data, and to meta-analyze prognostic factors for OS and TTP. Methods: RCTs were identified through literature search until December 2018. Individual participant survival was reconstructed with an algorithm from published Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: Ten RCTs were included. Median OS was 10.0 months (95% CI: 9.6–10.5), and median TTP was 4.1 months (95% CI: 3.8–4.3). Multivariable analyses showed HCV positivity, absence of macrovascular invasion and extra-hepatic disease as predictors of longer OS. Conclusion: We provided a benchmark for future studies on sorafenib. The present results can be used in the decision making for the early shift to second-line strategy.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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