This is a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, single-center phase II clinical trial. It aims to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of using patient-derived tumor organoid drug sensitivity testing (DST) to guide personalized systemic therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 94 eligible patients will be enrolled and grouped based on patient preference into either the Organoid-Directed Therapy group or the Control group (standard therapy). Tumor tissues obtained via biopsy will be used to establish organoid cultures. Drug sensitivity testing will be performed on a pre-defined panel of approved regimens (including Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab, Sintilimab + Bevacizumab biosimilar, Apatinib + Camrelizumab, Donafenib, Lenvatinib, Tislelizumab, Sorafenib, and FOLFOX4) to identify the most effective treatment. Patients for whom organoid construction fails or valid DST results are unavailable within one month will cross over to the control group to receive standard therapy. The co-primary endpoints are Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS), both assessed according to RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints include Overall Survival (OS) and safety profiles. The study seeks to provide a novel, personalized treatment strategy to improve outcomes for patients with advanced, unresectable HCC.
1. Study Design: This is a single-center, prospective, non-randomized, open-label, controlled phase II clinical trial conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University. 2. Study Population: The study will enroll 94 adult patients (aged 18-70) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, confirmed per the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2024 Edition). Participants must have an ECOG performance status of 0-1, a life expectancy of \>12 weeks, no prior systemic therapy for HCC, and adequate organ function. 3. Interventions: Experimental: Organoid-Directed Therapy Group: Tumor tissue from biopsies is used to generate patient-derived organoids. These organoids undergo drug sensitivity testing against a pre-defined panel of standard therapeutic regimens. The regimen demonstrating the highest efficacy in the DST (based on IC50 and AUC values) is recommended for personalized treatment. Control: Standard Therapy Group: Patients receive physician's choice of standard systemic therapy from the same pre-defined panel of regimens. 4. Endpoints: Primary Endpoints: Objective Response Rate (ORR) as assessed by RECIST 1.1. Progression-Free Survival (PFS). Secondary Endpoints: Overall Survival (OS). Safety and tolerability, assessed by the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs, SAEs) according to NCI CTCAE v5.0. 5. Follow-up: Patients will be followed regularly with tumor imaging assessments every 42 days (±3 days) for the first 48 weeks, and every 63 days (±3 days) thereafter. Clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and safety monitoring will be conducted until death, withdrawal of consent, or study termination. 6. Statistical Analysis: Sample size was calculated based on an assumed improvement in ORR from 35.6% in the control group to 71.2% in the experimental group (α=0.05, power=80%, 1:1 allocation, 10% dropout rate). Statistical analyses will be performed using SAS, with descriptive statistics for safety and efficacy analyses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
94
Fresh tumor tissue from resection is used to establish and culture patient-derived organoids. Successful organoids undergo drug sensitivity testing against a predefined panel of drugs (Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab, Sintilimab + Bevacizumab Biosimilar,Apatinib+ Camrelizumab, Donafenib, Lenvatinib, Tislelizumab, Sorafenib, FOLFOX4). The most effective drug(s), based on IC50 and AUC values, are recommended for treatment.
Objective Response Rate(ORR)
Time frame: Through out the study (up to 4 years)
Progression-free Survival(PFS)
In treated subjects, the time from first recording to tumor progression (based on RECIST 1.1 and mRECIST) or death from any cause.
Time frame: up to 4 years
Overall Survival(OS)
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Adverse event
Time frame: From the date of each patient's enrollment until 30 days (±7 days) after the last dose of study drug or until the initiation of new anti-tumor therapy, whichever occurs first.
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