{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Serum interleukin-6 levels at the start of the second course of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy predict therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter analysis.
{Author}: Suzuki T;Matsuura K;Suzuki Y;Okumura F;Nagura Y;Sobue S;Matoya S;Miyaki T;Kimura Y;Kusakabe A;Narahara S;Tokunaga T;Nagaoka K;Murakami S;Inoue T;Kuroyanagi K;Kawamura H;Fujiwara K;Nojiri S;Kataoka H;Tanaka Y;
{Journal}: J Gastroenterol Hepatol
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 28
{Factor}: 4.369
{DOI}: 10.1111/jgh.16672
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) before the administration of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez + Bev) is a prognostic biomarker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with Atez + Bev. We previously revealed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum chemokine levels during treatment with Atez + Bev were more useful as prognostic biomarkers. Therefore, we examined the predictive ability of serum IL-6 for the efficacy of Atez + Bev in patients with HCC.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We enrolled 94 patients with HCC who received treatment with Atez + Bev. Initial responses were assessed through dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The levels of IL-6 in serum were measured before and at the initiation of the second course of Atez + Bev. Subsequently, the relationship of IL-6 levels with treatment efficacy was evaluated.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>IL-6 levels at the initiation of the second course tended to be higher in patients with progressive disease versus those with non-progressive disease in the initial evaluation (P = 0.054). Moreover, the cutoff value (7.4 pg/mL) was useful in stratifying patients by overall survival (i.e. low vs high: not reached vs 21.4 months, respectively, P = 0.001) and progression-free survival (low vs high: 11.9 vs 5.2 months, respectively, P = 0.004). This result was reproduced in patients with HCC who received Atez + Bev as first-line therapy. In the multivariate analyses, IL-6 levels at the initiation of the second course were independent predictive factors for progression-free and overall survival.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Serum levels of IL-6 at the initiation of the second course of treatment may predict Atez + Bev efficacy and prognosis in HCC.