Using dual checkpoint blockade to treat fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma
Enrico N. De Toni, Daniel Roessler
Abstract
We have read with interest the paper by Gerbes et al ,1 which highlights the current developments in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fibrolamellar HCC (FL-HCC) is, in contrast to HCC,2 an infrequent tumour, most often occurring in adolescents or young adults without underlying liver disease.3 Chemotherapy-based regimens are typically used to treat FL-HCC based on studies in small patients’ cohorts and case series.3 Despite anecdotal reports of response to systemic treatment, the prognosis of advanced FL-HCC is poor.4 The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICP) is drastically changing the approach to the treatment of HCC. In particular, recent trials showed that immunoncological treatment can be potentiated if ICP are used in combination.5 6 This is exemplified by the use of nivolumab/ipilimumab,7 and by the results of the phase III IMBRAVE 150 trial, which recently marked …