Open AccessSafety and efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter analysis
Author(s) -
Tada Toshifumi,
Kumada Takashi,
Hiraoka Atsushi,
Hirooka Masashi,
Kariyama Kazuya,
Tani Joji,
Atsukawa Masanori,
Takaguchi Koichi,
Itobayashi Ei,
Fukunishi Shinya,
Tsuji Kunihiko,
Ishikawa Toru,
Tajiri Kazuto,
Ochi Hironori,
Yasuda Satoshi,
Toyoda Hidenori,
Ogawa Chikara,
Nishimura Takashi,
Hatanaka Takeshi,
Kakizaki Satoru,
Shimada Noritomo,
Kawata Kazuhito,
Tanaka Takaaki,
Ohama Hideko,
Nouso Kazuhiro,
Morishita Asahiro,
Tsutsui Akemi,
Nagano Takuya,
Itokawa Norio,
Okubo Tomomi,
Arai Taeang,
Imai Michitaka,
Naganuma Atsushi,
Koizumi Yohei,
Nakamura Shinichiro,
Joko Kouji,
Iijima Hiroko,
Hiasa Yoichi
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.4763
Subject(s) - medicine , bevacizumab , adverse effect , proteinuria , hazard ratio , atezolizumab , hepatocellular carcinoma , univariate analysis , subgroup analysis , gastroenterology , confidence interval , oncology , surgery , cancer , multivariate analysis , chemotherapy , immunotherapy , pembrolizumab , kidney
Aim The safety and efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) in elderly patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been sufficiently investigated. Methods A total of 317 patients with HCC treated with Atez/Bev were studied. We compared the survival and frequency of adverse events in elderly versus non‐elderly patients with HCC who were treated with Atez/Bev using an analysis of inverse probability weighting (IPW). Results Univariate analysis adjusted with IPW showed that being elderly is not associated with worse overall or progression‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.239; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.640–2.399; p = 0.526 and HR, 1.256; 95% CI, 0.871–1.811; p = 0.223, respectively). Regarding treatment‐related adverse events, any grade of fatigue, proteinuria, decreased appetite, hypertension, and liver injury occurred in ≥10% of patients. There were no significant differences in treatment‐related adverse events between the elderly and non‐elderly groups. In a subgroup analysis of elderly patients aged 75–79, 80–84, or ≥ 85 years, there were no significant differences in cumulative overall or progression‐free survival among these age groups ( p = 0.960 and 0.566, respectively). In addition, there were no significant differences in treatment‐related adverse events among these three age groups, except for proteinuria of any grade. In a subgroup analysis of patients treated with Atez/Bev as first‐line systemic therapy, there were no significant differences in cumulative overall or progression‐free survival between the elderly and non‐elderly groups ( p = 0.728 and 0.805, respectively). Conclusions Atez/Bev can be used efficaciously and safely in spite of age in patients with unresectable HCC.