Clinical outcomes by Child-Pugh Class in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in a community oncology setting

AIM: Many pivotal trials in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) require participants to have Child-Pugh A disease. However, many patients in real-world practice are Child-Pugh B or C. This study examined treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced HCC treated with first-line systemic therapy. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with HCC treated with first-line systemic therapy (2010–2017) were identified from US Oncology Network records. Outcomes included overall survival and progression-free survival, by Child-Pugh Class and prior liver-directed therapy. RESULTS: Of 352 patients, 78.7% were Child-Pugh A or B, 96.6% received first-line sorafenib, and 33.8% received first-line-prior liver-directed therapy. Survival outcomes were similar for Child-Pugh A or B, and longer after first-line prior liver-directed therapy. CONCLUSION: First-line systemic therapy is beneficial in patients with Child-Pugh A or B, and after first-line prior liver-directed therapy. These findings may help position systemic therapy in the community setting.