Sorafenib for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in HIV-positive patients

• Published in: Anti-cancer drugs Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 212
• Main Authors: Berretta, Massimiliano, Di Benedetto, Fabrizio, Dal Maso, Luigino, Cacopardo, Bruno, Nasti, Guglielmo, Facchini, Gaetano, Bearz, Alessandra, Spina, Michele, Garlassi, Elisa, De Re, Valli, Fiorica, Francesco, Lleshi, Arben, Tirelli, Umberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active - methods; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Disease Progression; Female; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Male; Middle Aged; Niacinamide - adverse effects; Niacinamide - analogs & derivatives; Niacinamide - therapeutic use; Phenylurea Compounds - adverse effects; Phenylurea Compounds - therapeutic use; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1473-5741
• DOI: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e32835c032f

Few data are available on the safety and efficacy of sorafenib in HIV-infected patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HIV-u-HCC) and concomitant highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Between July 2007 and October 2010, 27 consecutive HIV-u-HCC patients were treated with sorafenib and concomitant HAART within the Gruppo Italiano Cooperativo AIDS e Tumori (GICAT). Three patients achieved a partial response, 12 achieved a stable disease, and 12 showed progression. The median time to progression and overall survival was 5.1 (range 0.5-13.3) and 12.8 (range 1.1-23.5) months, respectively. Grades 3-4 toxicities included diarrhea (four patients, 14.8%), hypertension (three patients, 11%), and hand-and-foot skin reaction (four patients, 14.9%). Most drug-related side effects were low grade and manageable. This retrospective study shows favorable survival data among HIV-u-HCC patients treated with sorafenib together with a reasonable safety profile.