A randomized controlled trial of Licartin for preventing hepatoma recurrence after liver transplantation.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only curative therapy of HCC with underlying cirrhosis, but due to HCC metastasis and recurrence, its benefit is limited to a small population who meet the strict selection criteria. We previously reported that Licartin ([131I] mAb HAb18G/CD147) was safe and effective in treating HCC patients, and its antigen, HAb18G/CD147, was closely related to HCC invasion and metastasis. Here, we reported a randomized controlled trial to assess the post-OLT antirecurrence efficacy of Licartin in advanced HCC patients. We randomized 60 post-OLT patients with HCC, who were at tumor stage 3/4 and outside the Milan criteria before OLT, into 2 groups. Three weeks after OLT, the treatment group received 15.4 MBq/kg of Licartin, while the control group received placebo intravenously for 3 times with an interval of 28 days. At 1-year follow-up, the recurrence rate significantly decreased by 30.4% (P = 0.0174) and the survival rate increased by 20.6% (P = 0.0289) in the treatment group, compared with those in the control group. For the control group versus the treatment group, the hazard ratio for recurrence was 3.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-8.60) and that for death was 3.87 (95% CI, 1.23-12.21). Licartin treatment also resulted in an earlier decreased AFP level and a longer time of normal AFP level than placebo (P = 0.0016). No Licartin-related toxic effects were observed.

CONCLUSION:

Licartin is a promising drug for preventing post-OLT tumor recurrence in advanced HCC patients excluded by the currently strict criteria for OLT. HAb18G/CD147 can be a good drug target.

• Authors: Jing Xu, Zhong-Yang Shen, Xin-Guo Chen, Qing Zhang, Hui-Jie Bian, Ping Zhu, Hui-Yun Xu, Fei Song, Xiang-Min Yang, Li Mi, Qing-Chuan Zhao, Rong Tian, Qiang Feng, Si-He Zhang, Yu Li, Jian-Li Jiang, Ling Li, Xiao-Ling Yu, Zheng Zhang, Zhi-Nan Chen
• Journal: Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) (Hepatology) Vol. 45 Issue 2 Pg. 269-76 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 0270-9139 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17256759 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• BSG protein, human
• alpha-Fetoproteins
• metuximab
• Basigin

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, immunology, therapeutic use)
• Basigin (immunology)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (drug therapy, surgery)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, surgery)
• Liver Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (prevention & control)
• Single-Blind Method
• Survival Rate
• Treatment Outcome
• alpha-Fetoproteins (metabolism)