... WhatsApp

New Triple Treatment Shows Hope for Liver Cancer Once Thought Inoperable

You are here >> Home > Latest Updates >Liver Cancer > New Triple…

Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization and PD-1 inhibitors as conversion therapies for unresectable intermediate-advanced hepatocellular DOI 10.1038s41392-025-02498-z

Some liver cancers can’t be removed with surgery when first diagnosed. But a new study shows that combining three treatments—lenvatinib (a targeted drug), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and PD-1 immunotherapy—may help shrink tumors enough to make surgery possible later. This is called “conversion therapy.”

In this trial, 142 patients with advanced liver cancer took part. Half received the triple treatment (called LEN-TAP), while the other half got TACE alone. After two years, nearly 60% of people on the triple therapy were able to have surgery to remove their tumor, compared to only 18% on TACE alone.

The LEN-TAP group also had better results in other areas: more people responded to treatment, and they lived longer without the cancer coming back. Side effects were more common with triple therapy, but none were life-threatening, and they were considered manageable.The researchers also found a clue about who might benefit most. A certain type of immune cell in the blood—called HLA-DR+CD38+CD8+ T cells—was linked to better results. This could help doctors decide who should receive this treatment in the future.This triple approach may offer new hope for patients with liver cancer that was once considered untreatable by surgery.

Rate this post
Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in Ahmeadbad
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.