Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39789316›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

A real-world drug safety surveillance study from the FAERS database of hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving pembrolizumab alone and plus lenvatinib.

Huaxiang Wang, Junjun Li, Xiuling Zhu, Ruling Wang, Yunyan Wan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. [Chinese expert consensus on the use of standardized second-line drugs for primary hepatocellular carcinoma].Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi = Zhonghua ganzangbing zazhi = Chinese journal of hepatology · 2026
    Article
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  3. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Huaxiang Wang *Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China. whx19930307@163.com.
Junjun Li *Department of Emergency Department, The Third People's Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China.
Xiuling Zhu *Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistic Team, Fuzhou, 350025, Fujian, China.
Ruling WangDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
Yunyan WanDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China. docwan@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Pembrolizumab plus Lenvatinib is regarded as a significant treatment option for advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to meticulously monitor and identify adverse events (AEs) related to this combined therapy, enhance patient safety, and offer evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate use of these drugs. We gathered adverse drug reactions (ADRs)-related data from the FAERS database for HCC patients who received Pembrolizumab, both alone and in combination with Lenvatinib from the first quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2023. ADRs signal detection was performed using the ROR, PRR, BCPNN, MHRA, and MGPS methods. We gathered data on 459 and 358 AEs from patients with HCC treated with pembrolizumab alone and in combination with lenvatinib, respectively. Using four signal quantification techniques, we identified 50 and 38 distinct AEs, which were classified into 15 different System organ class (SOC) categories. Notably, the most common AEs associated with pembrolizumab were gastrointestinal disorders and hepatobiliary disorders. In both patient groups, the most frequently reported AEs were hepatic encephalopathy, blood bilirubin increased and diarrhea. We also observed some unexpected significant AEs, such as dehydration, skin ulcers, and intestinal perforation. The countries reporting the highest number of AEs were the United States, followed by China, France, and Japan. The median onset time for AEs related to pembrolizumab alone and its combination with lenvatinib was 80.5 days (interquartile range 20.0-217.3 days) and 77.5 days (interquartile range 19.7-212.3 days), respectively. This study offers new insights into the monitoring and management of ADRs in HCC patients receiving pembrolizumab alone or in combination with lenvatinib. It is crucial to closely monitor the safety of this treatment regimen in HCC patients to avoid serious AEs.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedCarcinoma, HepatocellularLiver NeoplasmsPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedlenvatinibpembrolizumabPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolines

Identifiers

PMID39789316
PMCPMC11718235

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.