Deep, Multi-omics Phenotyping to Predict Response, Resistance and Recurrence to Adjuvant Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab in Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma (EMPHASIS)

This is an interventional treatment trial for Hepatocellular Carcinoma focused on measuring Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), Adjuvant Atezolizumab, Adjuvant Bevacizumab, Biomarkers, Multiomics profiles, Spatial TME profiles, Surgically resected HCC Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is willing, able and mentally competent to provide written informed consent prior to any testing undertaken for this study protocol, including screening tests and evaluations that are not considered to be part of the patient's routine care.
2. Male and female patients, age 21 to 90 at the time of signature of the informed consent form.
3. Patient is able to comply with scheduled visits, assessments and other study procedures.

4. Patient diagnosed with HCC who have undergone a curative resection within 4-12 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.

   • Multimodality treatment is not permitted, for example resection and ablation
   • Combination treatment is not permitted.

5. Patient has clinically AND histologically proven HCC after liver resection as described below:

   • Patients must have documented histological confirmation of negative surgical margins (R0) which is documented in a pathology report (patients with microscopically positive [R1] or grossly positive [R2] resection margins or unknown margins will be excluded from the study).
   • Patients must have disease-free status documented within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1 by a complete physical examination, radiographic images, and pathology (resection only), with no subsequent evidence of residual or recurrent disease prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1. A complete set of baseline (post-curative procedure) radiographic images and accompanying report must be available prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.
6. Patient has an absence of major macrovascular (gross vascular) invasion of the portal vein (Vp3 or Vp4) or any grade of macrovascular invasion in the hepatic vein or inferior vena cava.
7. Patient has an absence of extrahepatic spread as confirmed by CT or MRI scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and head prior to and following curative procedure. If head scan was not performed prior to curative procedure, this must be performed after curative procedure.
8. Patient has a full recovery from surgical resection within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.

9. Patient is at high risk for HCC recurrence after resection as defined in Table 1:

   • Up to three tumours, with largest tumour > 5 cm regardless of vascular invasion (microvascular invasion or minor macrovascular portal vein invasion of the portal vein - Vp1/Vp2), or poor tumour differentiation (Grade 3 or 4)
   • Up to three tumours, with largest tumour > 5cm with vascular invasion (microvascular invasion or minor macrovascular portal vein invasion of the portal vein - Vp1/Vp2) and/or poor tumour differentiation (Grade 3 or 4)
   • Four or more tumours, with largest tumour < 5 cm regardless of microvascular invasion (microvascular invasion or minor macrovascular portal vein invasion of the portal vein - Vp1/Vp2) or poor tumour differentiation (Grade 3 or 4)
   • In the event that the pathology and the pre-curative procedure radiology report are discordant with regards to tumour size and number, the modality demonstrating the largest tumour size and number should be used to determine high risk features. Pathological findings should be used to assess for microvascular invasion and/or poor tumour differentiation. If macrovascular invasion of Vp1 or Vp2 is detected on either the pre-operative CT/MRI scan or the pathology report, this should be a high risk feature

10. Patient has baseline tumour tissue samples that meet the following criteria:

    • Good DNA/RNA quality (Refer to Biosamples Collection Protocol)
    • High tumour viability (Refer to Biosamples Collection Protocol)
11. Patient is known to be negative for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

12. Patient with documented virology status of hepatitis, as confirmed by screening HBV and HCV tests

    • For patients with active HBV: HBV DNA < 500 IU/mL during screening, initiation of anti-HBV treatment at least 14 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1 and willingness to continue anti-HBV treatment during the study (per local standard of care; e.g., entecavir)
    • Patients with HCV, either with resolved infection (as evidenced by detectable antibody) or chronic infection (as evidenced by detectable HCV RNA), are eligible
    • For patients with detectable HCV RNA and for whom HCV treatment is deemed appropriate by the investigator, treatment should begin no sooner than 6 months following curative procedure consistent with AASLD guidelines
13. Patient is willing to receive an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, either before resection as part of pre-procedure work-up or following resection, and assessment and treatment of varices of all sizes per local standard of care prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.
14. Patient is willing to receive an electrocardiogram, either before resection as part of pre-procedure work-up or following resection, prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.
15. Patient with Child-Pugh A (up to 6 points) without clinical ascites before surgery
16. Patient with ECOG performance status 0-1.

17. Patient has adequate hematological, renal and hepatic function, defined by the following laboratory test results, obtained within 7 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1 unless otherwise specified:

    • AST, ALT, and ALP ≤ 5 × ULN
    • Serum bilirubin ≤ 3 × ULN
    • Albumin ≥ 28 g/L (2.8 g/dL)
    • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN or creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min (calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula)
    • Hemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L (9 g/dL) Patients may be transfused to meet this criterion.
    • Platelet count ≥ 75 × 109/L (75,000/µL) without transfusion
    • Lymphocyte count ≥ 0.5 × 109/L (500/µL)
    • ANC ≥ 1.5 × 109/L (1500/µL) without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support
    • For patients not receiving therapeutic anticoagulation: INR or aPTT ≤ 2 × ULN
    • Urine dipstick for proteinuria < 2 + (within 7 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1) Patients discovered to have ≥ 2 + proteinuria on dipstick urinalysis at baseline should undergo a 24-hour urine collection (or an alternative method such as protein:creatinine ratio, per local guidance) and must demonstrate < 1 g of protein in 24 hours.
18. Patient is estimated to have a life expectancy of at least 3 months without any active treatment.
19. Patient is deemed suitable for protocol treatment as determined by clinical assessment undertaken by the site Investigator.
20. (For female patients) Patient is either postmenopausal or, if premenopausal, must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use two forms of contraception if sexually active during the treatment period, for at least 5 months after the last dose of atezolizumab and 6 months after the last dose of bevacizumab.
21. (For male patients) Patient is surgically sterile, or if sexually active and having a pre-menopausal female partner, must be using an acceptable form of contraception during the treatment period and for 6 months after the last dose of bevacizumab.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is unable to provide informed consent or refuse blood taking.
2. Patient is known to have fibrolamellar HCC, sarcomatoid HCC, or mixed cholangiocarcinoma and HCC.
3. Patient has evidence of residual, recurrent, or metastatic disease prior to initiation of treatment.
4. Patient has clinically significant ascites or any other clinical signs of liver failure on physical examination at time of enrolment.
5. Patient has a history of hepatic encephalopathy.
6. Patient has a bleeding event due to untreated or incompletely treated esophageal and/or gastric varices prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.

7. Patient has active or history of autoimmune disease or immune deficiency, including, but not limited to, myasthenia gravis, myositis, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, Sjögren syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or multiple sclerosis, with the following exceptions:

   • Patients with a history of autoimmune-related hypothyroidism who are on thyroid-replacement hormone are eligible for the study.
   • Patients with controlled Type 1 diabetes mellitus who are on an insulin regimen are eligible for the study.

   • Patients with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, or vitiligo with dermatologic manifestations only (e.g., patients with psoriatic arthritis are excluded) are eligible for the study provided all of following conditions are met:

     • Rash must cover < 10% of body surface area.
     • Disease is well controlled at baseline and requires only low-potency topical corticosteroids.
     • There is no occurrence of acute exacerbations of the underlying condition requiring psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation, methotrexate, retinoids, biologic agents, oral calcineurin inhibitors, or high-potency or oral corticosteroids within the 12 months prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.
8. Patient has a history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, organizing pneumonia (e.g., bronchiolitis obliterans), drug-induced pneumonitis, or idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence of active pneumonitis on chest CT scan at screening.
9. Patient has significant cardiovascular disease (such as New York Heart Association Class II or greater cardiac disease, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accident) within 3 months prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1, unstable arrhythmia, or unstable angina
10. Patient has a history of malignancy other than HCC within 5 years prior to screening, with the exception of malignancies with a negligible risk of metastasis or death (e.g., 5-year overall survival [OS] rate > 90%), such as adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, non-melanoma skin carcinoma, localized prostate cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, or Stage I uterine cancer.
11. Patient has active tuberculosis at screening
12. Patient has a severe infection within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1, including, but not limited to, hospitalization for complications of infection, bacteremia, or severe pneumonia, or any active infection that in the opinion of the investigator, could impact patient safety

13. Patient has received treatment with therapeutic oral or IV antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1

    • Patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., to prevent a urinary tract infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation) are eligible for the study.

14. Patient has prior allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplantation
15. Patient is on the waiting list for liver transplantation
16. Patient has any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug, may affect the interpretation of the results, or may render the patient at high risk from treatment complications

17. Patient has a co-infection with HBV and HCV or Hepatitis D viral infection

    • Patients with a history of HCV infection but who are negative for HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction will be considered to be negative for HCV infection.

18. Patient has clinically significant uncontrolled or symptomatic hypercalcemia (ionized calcium > 1.5 mmol/L, calcium > 12 mg/dL, or corrected serum calcium > ULN)
19. Patient has a history of severe allergic anaphylactic reactions to chimeric or humanized antibodies or fusion proteins
20. Patient has known hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell products or to any component of the atezolizumab or bevacizumab formulations

21. Patient has received any treatment for HCC prior to resection, including previous liver resection, systemic therapy (including investigational agents) and locoregional therapy (e.g. RFA, TACE, SIRT), radiotherapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy other than the planned surgery. However, patient who has received previous HCC resection more than 5 years ago is deemed to have a de-novo liver tumour and therefore can be included.

    • Prior use of herbal therapies or traditional Chinese medicines with anti-cancer activity included in the label is allowed, but such therapies must be discontinued at least 7 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1 and are prohibited during the study.
    • Portal vein embolization used to increase the functional liver remnant prior to surgery is permitted.
22. Patient has received or plans to receive treatment with a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1, or anticipation of need for such a vaccine during atezolizumab treatment or within 5 months after the final dose of atezolizumab
23. Patient has received prior treatment with investigational therapy within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
24. Patient has prior treatment with CD137 agonists or immune checkpoint blockade therapies, including anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies
25. Patient has received prior treatment with systemic immunostimulatory agents (including, but not limited to, interferon and interleukin-2) within 4 weeks or 5 drug elimination half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1

26. Patient has received prior treatment with systemic immunosuppressive medication (including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, and anti-tumour necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] agents) within 2 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1, or anticipation of need for systemic immunosuppressive medication during study treatment, with the following exceptions:

    • Patients who received acute, low-dose systemic immunosuppressant medication or a one-time pulse dose of systemic immunosuppressant medication (e.g., 48 hours of corticosteroids for a contrast allergy) are eligible.
    • Patients who received mineralocorticoids (e.g., fludrocortisone), corticosteroids for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or low-dose corticosteroids for orthostatic hypotension or adrenal insufficiency are eligible for the study.

27. Patient has inadequately controlled arterial hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure [BP] > 150 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 100 mmHg), based on an average of at least three BP readings at two or more sessions

    • Anti-hypertensive therapy to achieve these parameters is allowed.

28. Patient has a history of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy
29. Patient has significant vascular disease (e.g., aortic aneurysm requiring surgical repair or recent peripheral arterial thrombosis) within 6 months prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
30. Patient has a history of hemoptysis (≥ 2.5 mL of bright red blood per episode) within 1 month prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
31. Patient has evidence of bleeding diathesis or significant coagulopathy (in the absence of therapeutic anticoagulation)
32. Patient is currently or recently (within 10 days of Day 1 of Cycle 1) use of aspirin (> 325 mg/day) or current or recent treatment with dipyramidole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and cilostazol

33. Current or recent (within 10 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1) use of full-dose oral or parenteral anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents for therapeutic (as opposed to prophylactic) purpose

    • Prophylactic anticoagulation for the patency of venous access devices is allowed provided the activity of the agent results in an INR < 1.5 × ULN and aPTT is within normal limits (according to institutional standards) within 14 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.
    • Prophylactic use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LWMH; i.e., enoxaparin 40 mg/day) is allowed. However, the use of direct oral anticoagulant therapies such as dabigatran (Pradaxa®) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) is not recommended due to bleeding risk. Benefits and risks should be assessed and caution exercised for use of direct oral anticoagulants. The investigator should consider switching to other approved anticoagulants due to the risk of upper GI bleeding in patients with HCC.
34. Patient has received a core biopsy or other minor surgical procedure, excluding placement of a vascular access device, within 3 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
35. Patient has a history of GI fistula, GI perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
36. Patient has evidence of abdominal free air that is not explained by paracentesis or recent surgical procedure
37. Patient has a serious, non-healing or dehiscing wound, active ulcer, or untreated bone fracture
38. Patient is receiving or plans to receive a major surgical procedure within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1 or anticipation of need for a major surgical procedure during the study
39. Patient has a history of clinically significant intra-abdominal inflammatory process within 6 months prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1, including, but not limited to, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis, or colitis

40. Patient has a chronic daily treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

    • Occasional use of NSAIDs for the symptomatic relief of medical conditions such as headache or fever is allowed.
    • Chronic use of low dose aspirin (< 325 mg/day) is allowed.

41. (For female patients) Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant during the study or within 5 months after the final dose of atezolizumab or within 6 months after the final dose of bevacizumab

    • Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test result within 14 days prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1.