Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41863281›Full record

ArticleThe oncologist2026

Lenvatinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study.

Huifang Kong, Yan Chen, Hong Li, Di Wang, Xiujuan Chang, Zhen Zeng, Wei Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The oncologist, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

7 authors.

Huifang KongSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.
Yan ChenSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.
Hong LiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou Province 550499, People's Republic of China.
Di WangSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.
Xiujuan ChangSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.
Zhen ZengSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.
Wei ZhangSenior Department of Liver Disease Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, 100039, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTo investigate the outcomes of combined lenvatinib plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a real-world setting. MATERIAL AND

methodsThis retrospective study included patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic HCC who received lenvatinib combined with ICIs at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between May 2018 and November 2022. The study outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and treatment response.

resultsThis study included 117 patients. The objective response rate (comprising both complete and partial responses) was 53.2%. Among those with first-line lenvatinib plus ICI (n = 109), the disease control rate (complete response, partial response, and stable disease) was 89.9%. In all patients, the median OS and PFS were 26.0 (95% CI, 22.0-30.4) and 15.3 (95% CI, 13.2-17.5) months, respectively. In first-line patients, the median OS and PFS were 27.6 (95% CI, 23.4-34.6) and 15.4 (95% CI, 13.4-18.2) months, respectively. Among the 117 patients, treatment was discontinued in 58 (50%) because of AE (n = 9, 16%), PD (n = 43, 74%), or an unknown reason (n = 6, 10%). Among the 117 patients, treatment was interrupted in 26 (22%), and the dose was adjusted in 24 (21%).

conclusionThis real-world study supports the possibility of using lenvatinib combined with ICI for the management of patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic HCC, including first-line treatment. Confirmation through a formal clinical trial would provide firmer conclusions.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCarcinoma, HepatocellularImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsLiver NeoplasmsNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesImmune Checkpoint InhibitorslenvatinibPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolineshepatocellular carcinomaimmune checkpoint inhibitorslenvatinibreal-world evidence

Identifiers

PMID41863281
PMCPMC13076930

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.