Combination therapy with TIGIT monoclonal antibody in the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a commentary based on the results of two phase-Ⅱ clinical studies

Abstract

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer worldwide. Despite significant progress in the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC in recent years, the prognosis for patients with advanced HCC remains poor. Emerging immunotherapies for HCC, such as programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, have demonstrated some clinical efficacy, but issues with resistance persist. Monoclonal antibodies targeting T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), as a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor, have the potential to enhance anti-tumor immune responses when used in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. This article, based primarily on the results of the AdvanTIG-206 and MORPHEUS-Liver Phase II clinical trials, summarizes the current efficacy and safety of TIGIT monoclonal antibody combination therapy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC. Additionally, it explores the potential and possible challenges of combining TIGIT antibodies with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and targeted therapies, with the aim of identifying new directions for first-line therapy in advanced HCC.

Key words: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, Immune checkpoint inhibitors, TIGIT monoclonal antibodies, Clinical studies, Combination therapy

Jiang Ning, Li Xuchu, Huang Huiyao, Sun Chao, Fang Hong, Ma Hailan, Jia Shuopeng, Wu Dawei, Tang Yu, Li Ning. Combination therapy with TIGIT monoclonal antibody in the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a commentary based on the results of two phase-Ⅱ clinical studies[J]. Electronic Journal of Liver Tumor, 2024, 11(4): 6-12.

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