Adding Camrelizumab to TACE Plus Donafenib in PVTT-Positive HCC

This dual-center propensity-matched cohort suggests adding a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor to transarterial chemoembolization plus donafenib is associated with longer survival in a high-risk hepatocellular carcinoma population with portal vein tumor thrombus, though the retrospective design precludes causal claims.

camrelizumabdonafenibTACEPD-1 inhibitortyrosine kinase inhibitorhepatocellular carcinomaportal vein tumor thrombuspropensity score matchingretrospective cohortimmunotherapyinterventional oncology Gastroenterology / Hepatology

Background Information

Transarterial chemoembolization with donafenib and camrelizumab may extend survival in challenging liver cancer cases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) represents a challenging clinical scenario with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The addition of camrelizumab to transarterial chemoembolization and donafenib (TACE+D+C) significantly improved median overall survival (15.90 vs 9.10 months) and median progression-free survival (11.20 vs 7.10 months) compared to TACE plus donafenib (TACE+D). These findings suggest a potential benefit for TACE+D+C in treating PVTT-positive hepatocellular carcinoma, although the retrospective design limitations underline the need for prospective trials. TACE combined with donafenib and camrelizumab may enhance survival in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus, but further research is needed.

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Authors: Zhang Q, Qing H, Lei Z, Xie X

Citation: Zhang Q, Qing H, Lei Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with donafenib and camrelizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: a dual-center, retrospective propensity score-matched analysis. Frontiers in immunology. 2026;17:1882605. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1882605

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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