Outcomes in the Asian subgroup of the phase III randomised HIMALAYA study of tremelimumab plus durvalumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma Journal Article


Authors: Lau, G.; Abou-Alfa, G. K.; Cheng, A. L.; Sukeepaisarnjaroen, W.; Van Dao, T.; Kang, Y. K.; Thungappa, S. C.; Kudo, M.; Sangro, B.; Kelley, R. K.; Furuse, J.; Park, J. W.; Sunpaweravong, P.; Fasolo, A.; Yau, T.; Kawaoka, T.; Azevedo, S.; Reig, M.; Assenat, E.; Yarchoan, M.; He, A. R.; Makowsky, M.; Gupta, C.; Negro, A.; Chan, S. L.
Article Title: Outcomes in the Asian subgroup of the phase III randomised HIMALAYA study of tremelimumab plus durvalumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract: Background & Aims: In the global, phase III HIMALAYA study in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC), STRIDE (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab) improved overall survival (OS) vs. sorafenib; durvalumab was non-inferior to sorafenib. HBV is the predominant HCC aetiology in most of Asia vs. HCV or non-viral aetiologies in Western countries and Japan. This analysis evaluated safety and efficacy outcomes for STRIDE and durvalumab monotherapy vs. sorafenib, in HIMALAYA participants enrolled in Asia, excluding Japan. Methods: In HIMALAYA, participants were randomised to STRIDE, durvalumab, or sorafenib. The Asian subgroup in this analysis included participants enrolled in Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. OS, objective response rate (ORR; per RECIST, version 1.1), and safety were assessed in the Asian subgroup and in an exploratory subgroup of participants in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Results: The Asian subgroup included 479 participants randomised to STRIDE (n = 156), durvalumab (n = 167), or sorafenib (n = 156). OS was improved for STRIDE vs. sorafenib (hazard ratio [HR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.52-0.89). The OS HR for durvalumab vs. sorafenib was 0.83 (95% CI 0.64-1.06). In Hong Kong and Taiwan (n = 141), OS HRs for STRIDE vs. sorafenib and durvalumab vs. sorafenib were 0.44 (95% CI 0.26-0.77) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.37-1.08), respectively. In the Asian subgroup, ORR (including unconfirmed responses) was numerically higher for STRIDE (28.2%) and durvalumab (18.6%) vs. sorafenib (9.0%), and Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were numerically lower for STRIDE (19.9%) and durvalumab (13.3%) vs. sorafenib (30.5%). Conclusions: STRIDE improved outcomes vs. sorafenib in the Asian subgroup. These results support the benefits of STRIDE for participants with uHCC globally, including in the Asia-Pacific region. Clinical trial number: NCT03298451. Impact and implications: The global, phase III HIMALAYA study found that the STRIDE (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab) regimen improved overall survival (OS), including long-term OS vs. sorafenib, and that durvalumab monotherapy was non-inferior to sorafenib in participants with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, there are differences in the aetiology and clinical practices related to HCC in parts of Asia, compared to Western countries and Japan, which could lead to differences in treatment outcomes between these regions. The results of this analysis demonstrate the benefits of STRIDE for participants in the Asia-Pacific region, consistent with the full, global study population. Overall, these findings continue to support the use of STRIDE in a diverse population, reflective of uHCC globally. © 2024 The Authors
Keywords: adult; controlled study; treatment outcome; treatment response; aged; middle aged; major clinical study; clinical trial; fatigue; mortality; hepatitis; sorafenib; diarrhea; drug efficacy; drug safety; drug withdrawal; hypertension; liver cell carcinoma; monotherapy; side effect; carcinoma, hepatocellular; liver neoplasms; antineoplastic agent; ticilimumab; liver toxicity; randomized controlled trial; stomatitis; antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; monoclonal antibody; alanine aminotransferase blood level; aminotransferase blood level; arthralgia; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; pruritus; rash; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; drug fatality; antibodies, monoclonal; multicenter study; liver tumor; interstitial lung disease; safety; india; asia; phase 3 clinical trial; inoperable cancer; hypothyroidism; aminotransferase; epidemiology; drug therapy; hand foot syndrome; alopecia; taiwan; stevens johnson syndrome; efficacy; adrenal insufficiency; drug-induced liver injury; thailand; thyroiditis; immune checkpoint inhibitor; antibodies, monoclonal, humanized; hong kong; south korea; humans; human; male; female; article; viet nam; durvalumab; unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Journal Title: Journal of Hepatology
Volume: 82
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0168-8278
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2025-02-01
Start Page: 258
End Page: 267
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.07.017
PUBMED: 39089633
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ghassan Abou-Alfa
    568 Abou-Alfa