Camrelizumab/apatinib vs. sorafenib as therapy for primary liver cancer: a retrospective study of a single Center

Background: Although the phase II clinical study confirmed the effectiveness of camrelizumab combined with apatinib, the role of camrelizumab plus apatinib versus sorafenib for primary liver cancer (PLC) remains unverified. Methods The data of PLC patients who received camrelizumab plus apatinib or sorafenib as first-line treatment were collected retrospectively. Results The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate of camrelizumab plus apatinib was 70.4% and the OS rate of sorafenib was 48.6%. Compared with sorafenib, The median progression-free survival (PFS) time of the two groups was 6.0 months (95% CI 4.2–7.8) and 3 months (95% CI 2.3–3.7), respectively. The median OS was 19.0 months (95% CI 16.4–21.6) and 12.0 months (95% CI 8.9–15.1), respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 70.4% of 71 patients who received camrelizumab/apatinib at least once and in 26.4% of 72 patients who received sorafenib at least one cycle. In the camrelizumab plus apatinib group, the most common grade 3 to 4 adverse reactions were hypertension, aspartate aminotransferase increased and thrombocytopenia, no other high-level toxic effects were observed. Conclusion Clinically meaningful improvements in OS and PFS observed with camrelizumab/apatinib versus sorafenib suggest that camrelizumab/apatinib may become a practice-changing treatment for patients with PLC.