Systematic literature review of trials assessing recommended systemic treatments in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To identify and evaluate the similarity of all trials assessing recommended treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS & METHODS: Single arm and randomized trials from any phase and published any time up to February 2021 were systematically searched. RESULTS: From 5677 records reviewed, 50 trials were included in the review, and 24 for assessed for similarity. In the first-line (1L) setting, several trials assessing sorafenib were noted for enrolling patients with more severe disease and/or performance status than other 1L trials; trials within the second-line (2L) setting were generally similar. Median survival was <2 years in all trial arms. CONCLUSIONS: Trials assessing recommended treatments are largely similar and appropriate for quantitative comparisons of several efficacy and safety outcomes.