Atezolizumab in Combination With a Multi-Kinase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Unresectable, Locally Advanced, or Metastatic Liver Cancer

Last updated: September 10, 2025
Sponsor: Academic and Community Cancer Research United
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Liver Cancer

Carcinoma

Treatment

Lenvatinib

Cabozantinib

Atezolizumab

Clinical Study ID

NCT05168163
ACCRU-GI-2008
P30CA015083
NCI-2021-12091
ACCRU-GI-2008
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This phase II trial tests whether atezolizumab in combination with a multi-kinase inhibitor (cabozantinib or lenvatinib) compared to multi-kinase inhibitor alone in treating patients with liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), has spread to has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), or has spread to other places in the body (metastatic), for which the patient has received treatment in the past (previously treated). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Cabozantinib and lenvatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving atezolizumab with cabozantinib or lenvatinib may kill more tumor cells in patients with liver cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Provide written informed consent =< 28 days prior to randomization

  • Willing to return to enrolling institution for follow-up (during the ActiveMonitoring Phase of the study)

  • NOTE: During the Active Monitoring Phase of a study (i.e., active treatment andclinical follow-up), participants must be willing to return to the consentinginstitution for follow-up

  • Age >= 18 years

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confirmed by histological/cytological diagnosis orclinically per the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) orWASL 2018 criteria

  • Locally advanced, metastatic and/or unresectable disease that is not amendable tocurative treatment

  • Previously progressed on atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab as first linesystemic therapy for advanced disease

  • NOTE: 2nd line patients only

  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0 or 1

  • Child Pugh class A

  • Documented virology status of hepatitis, as confirmed by screening hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology tests.

  • For subjects with active HBV, HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) < 500 IU/mLobtained ≤ =< 28 days prior to randomization, and anti-HBV treatment (per localstandard of care; e.g., entecavir) for a minimum of 14 days prior torandomization and willingness to continue treatment for the length of the study

  • At least one measurable untreated malignant lesion per RECIST v1.1. Subjects whopreviously received local therapy (e.g., ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection,trans-arterial embolization/chemo-embolization) are eligible provided the targetlesion(s) have not been previously treated with local therapy or the targetlesion(s) within the field of local therapy have subsequently progressed inaccordance with RECIST v1.1

  • Consent to using archival tumor tissues, if available

  • NOTE: Non-availability of tumor tissue does not exclude the subject.

  • Willingness to provide mandatory blood specimens for correlative research

  • Willingness to provide mandatory tissue specimens for correlative research for thefirst 10 patients per arm (Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Arizona ONLY)

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1.5 x 10^9/L (1500/uL) without granulocytecolony-stimulating factor support (obtained =< 28 days prior to randomization)

  • Lymphocyte count >= 0.5 x 10^9/L (500/uL) (obtained =< 28 days prior torandomization)

  • Platelet count >= 75 x 10^9/L (75,000/uL) (obtained =< 28 days prior torandomization)

  • Hemoglobin >= 90 g/L (9 g/dL) (obtained =< 28 days prior to randomization)

  • Subjects may be transfused to meet this criterion

  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkalinephosphatase (ALP) =< 5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained =< 28 days prior torandomization)

  • Total bilirubin =< 3 x ULN (obtained =< 28 days prior to randomization)

  • Serum albumin >= 30 g/L (3.0 g/dL) (obtained =< 28 days prior to randomization)

  • For subjects not receiving therapeutic anticoagulation: international normalizedratio (INR) or partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) =< 1.5 × ULN (obtained =< 28 daysprior to randomization)

  • Serum creatinine =< 2 x ULN or creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min (calculated usingthe Cockcroft-Gault formula) (obtained =< 28 days prior to randomization)

  • Negative pregnancy test done =< 14 days prior to randomization, for women ofchildbearing potential only

  • NOTE: If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serumpregnancy test will be required

  • Resolution of any acute, clinically significant treatment-related toxicity fromprior therapy to grade =< 1 prior to randomization, with the exception of alopeciaand peripheral sensory neuropathy.

  • Subjects of childbearing potential agree to use two forms of medically approvedcontraception while taking the study drug and for at least 5 months after the lastdose of atezolizumab or multi-kinase inhibitor. Subjects with partners ofchildbearing potential agree to use condoms, even after vasectomy, to avoidpotential drug exposure to partner during study drug and for 5 months following thelast dose of study drug

  • Ability to take oral medications

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known diagnosis of fibrolamellar carcinoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma or mixedhepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma

  • Prior multi-kinase inhibitor treatment for advanced disease (e.g., cabozantinib,lenvatinib, sorafenib, regorafenib)

  • NOTE: Use of multi-kinase inhibitor(s) for adjuvant or as part of loco-regionaltherapies is allowed as long as the therapy was completed >= 6 months prior torandomization

  • Any of the following prior therapies:

  • Major surgery =< 4 weeks prior to randomization; Minor surgery =< 7 days priorto randomization (e.g., simple excision, tooth extraction, insertion of centrallines/Mediport). Subjects with clinically relevant complications from priorsurgery are not eligible

  • Any anti-cancer agent =< 2 weeks prior to randomization

  • Radiation therapy =< 4 weeks (1 week for palliative radiation for bonemetastases and/or for pain control) or radionuclide treatment (e.g., I-131 orY-90) =< 6 weeks prior to randomization

  • Treatment with investigational therapy =< 28 days prior to randomization

  • Known brain or leptomeningeal metastasis

  • Known co-infection of HBV and HCV. Subjects with a history of HCV infection but whoare negative for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) willbe considered non-infected with HCV

  • Active or history of autoimmune disease or immune deficiency, including, but notlimited to, myasthenia gravis, myositis, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupuserythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, antiphospholipidantibody syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, Sjogren syndrome, Guillain-Barresyndrome, or multiple sclerosis with the following exceptions:

  • Subjects with a history of autoimmune-related hypothyroidism who are onthyroid-replacement hormone are eligible for the study

  • Subjects with controlled Type 1 diabetes mellitus who are on an insulin regimenare eligible for the study

  • Subjects with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, or vitiligo withdermatologic manifestations only (e.g., subjects with psoriatic arthritis areexcluded) are eligible for the study provided all of the following conditionsare met:

  • Rash must cover < 10% of body surface area

  • Disease is well controlled at baseline and requires only low-potencytopical corticosteroids

  • No occurrence of acute exacerbations of the underlying condition requiringpsoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation, methotrexate, retinoids, biologicagents, oral calcineurin inhibitors, or high-potency or oralcorticosteroids within the previous 12 months

  • History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, organizing pneumonia (e.g., bronchiolitisobliterans), drug-induced pneumonitis, or idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence ofactive pneumonitis on screening chest computed tomography (CT) scan

  • NOTE: History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) ispermitted

  • Any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinicallaboratory finding that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug, mayaffect the interpretation of the results, or may render the subject at high riskfrom treatment complication

  • Treatment with a live, attenuated vaccine =< 4 weeks prior to randomization, oranticipation of need for such a vaccine during atezolizumab treatment or =< 5 monthsafter the last dose of atezolizumab

  • History of severe allergic anaphylactic reactions to chimeric or humanizedantibodies or fusion proteins

  • Known hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell products or to any component ofthe atezolizumab formulation

  • Subjects with untreated or incompletely treated esophageal/gastric varices withbleeding or high risk for bleeding. Subjects treated with adequate endoscopictherapy (according to local institutional standards) without any episodes ofrecurrent gastrointestinal bleeding requiring transfusion or hospitalization for > 28 days prior to randomization are eligible

  • Treatment with systemic immunostimulatory agents (including, but not limited to,interferon and interleukin 2 [IL-2]) =< 4 weeks or 5 drug elimination half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to randomization

  • Prior treatment with CD137 agonists or immune checkpoint blockade therapies,including anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies

  • Note: Prior treatment with atezolizumab is permitted

  • Treatment with systemic immunosuppressive medication (including, but not limited to,corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, andanti-TNF alpha agents) =< 2 weeks prior to randomization, or anticipation of needfor systemic immunosuppressive medication during study treatment, with the followingexceptions:

  • Subjects who received acute, low-dose systemic immunosuppressant medication ora one-time pulse dose of systemic immunosuppressant medication (e.g., 48 hoursof corticosteroids for a contrast allergy) are eligible for the study

  • Subjects who received mineralocorticoids (e.g., fludrocortisone),corticosteroids for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, orlow-dose corticosteroids for orthostatic hypotension or adrenal insufficiencyare eligible

  • For subjects who are to receive cabozantinib: Treatment with strong inducers and/orstrong inhibitors of CYP3A4 =< 14 days prior to randomization, including rifampin (and its analogues) or St. John's wort. Seehttps://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/drug-development-and-drug-interactions-table-substrates-inhibitors-and-inducers for lists of known stronginhibitors and strong inducers of CYP3A4

  • Active tuberculosis

  • Other uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but notlimited to, the following conditions:

  • Cardiovascular disorders including:

  • Symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, or serious cardiacarrythmias

  • Uncontrolled hypertensions defined as sustained blood pressure (BP) > 150mmHg systolic BP, or > 100 mmHg diastolic BP despite optimalantihypertensive treatment

  • Stroke (including transient ischemic attack), myocardial infarction, orother ischemic event =< 3 months prior to randomization.

  • Unstable arrythmia

  • Thromboembolic event =< 3 months prior to randomization. Subjects withthromboses of portal/hepatic vasculature attributed to underlying liverdisease and/or liver tumor are eligible.

  • Active bacterial infection requiring systemic treatment. Subjects onprophylactic antibiotics are eligible.

  • Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or known acquiredimmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related illness. Subjects with known HIV butwithout clinical evidence of an immunocompromised state and receivinganti-retroviral therapy are eligible

  • Prior allogenic stem cell or solid organ transplantation

  • Uncontrolled pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiringrecurrent drainage procedures (once monthly or more frequently)

  • Subjects with indwelling catheters (e.g., PleurX) are allowed.

  • Uncontrolled or symptomatic hypercalcemia (ionized calcium > 1.5 mmol/L,calcium > 12 mg/dL or corrected serum calcium > ULN)

  • Uncontrolled tumor-related pain

  • Patients requiring pain medication must be on a stable regimen at the timeof randomization

  • Symptomatic lesions (e.g., bone metastases or metastases causing nerveimpingement) amenable to palliative radiotherapy should be treated priorto randomization. Patients should be recovered from the effects ofradiation. There is no required minimum recovery period.

  • Asymptomatic metastatic lesions that would likely cause functionaldeficits or intractable pain with further growth (e.g., epiduralmetastasis that is not currently associated with spinal cord compression)should be considered for loco-regional therapy if appropriate prior torandomization

  • Other malignancy(ies) =< 5 years prior to randomization except adequately treatednon-melanotic skin cancer, carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix, localized prostatecancer, ductal carcinoma in situ or stage I uterine cancer

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or intention of becoming pregnant during study treatmentor within at least 5 months after the last dose of study medication

  • Uncontrolled hepatic encephalopathy occurring =< 6 weeks prior to randomizationNOTE: Patients with =< grade 2 encephalopathy =< 6 weeks prior to randomization areeligible and supportive measures such as lactulose and antibiotics are allowed

Study Design

Total Participants: 122
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Lenvatinib
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
May 27, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Study Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine the progression-free and overall survival in subjects with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who previously progressed on atezolizumab/bevacizumab who are treated using atezolizumab plus a multi-kinase inhibitor compared to multi-kinase inhibitor alone.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the overall response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version (v) 1.1 response in subjects who are treated using atezolizumab plus a multi-kinase inhibitor compared to multi-kinase inhibitor alone.

II. To determine the duration of response in subjects who are treated using atezolizumab plus a multi-kinase inhibitor compared to multi-kinase inhibitor alone.

III. To determine the safety profile of adding atezolizumab to multi-kinase inhibitor in subjects who are treated using atezolizumab plus a multi-kinase inhibitor compared to multi-kinase inhibitor alone.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. To explore for potential predictive biomarkers for response and resistance to anti-PD-L1 and/or multi-kinase inhibitor therapy in subject population.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM A: Patients receive atezolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30-60 minutes on day 1 and cabozantinib orally (PO) once daily (QD) or lenvatinib PO QD on days 1-21. Cycles repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

ARM B: Patients receive cabozantinib PO QD or lenvatinib PO QD on days 1-21. Cycles repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed-up every 9 weeks for up to 2 years.

Connect with a study center

  • Mayo Clinic in Arizona

    Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic in Arizona

    Scottsdale 5313457, Arizona 5551752 85259
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Mayo Clinic in Florida

    Jacksonville, Florida 32224-9980
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida

    Weston, Florida 33331
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic in Florida

    Jacksonville 4160021, Florida 4155751 32224-9980
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida

    Weston 4178003, Florida 4155751 33331
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Chicago, Illinois 60637
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Carle Cancer Center NCI Community Oncology Research Program

    Urbana, Illinois 61801
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Chicago 4887398, Illinois 4896861 60637
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Carle Cancer Center NCI Community Oncology Research Program

    Urbana 4914570, Illinois 4896861 61801
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Medical Center New Orleans

    New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University Medical Center New Orleans

    New Orleans 4335045, Louisiana 4331987 70112
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Michigan Cancer Research Consortium NCORP

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Michigan Cancer Research Consortium NCORP

    Ann Arbor 4984247, Michigan 5001836 48106
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Ann Arbor 4984247, Michigan 5001836 48109
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic in Rochester

    Rochester, Minnesota 55905
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic in Rochester

    Rochester 5043473, Minnesota 5037779 55905
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute

    Buffalo, New York 14263
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute

    Buffalo 5110629, New York 5128638 14263
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Duke University Medical Center

    Durham, North Carolina 27710
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Duke University Medical Center

    Durham 4464368, North Carolina 4482348 27710
    United States

    Completed

  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio 44106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center - Seidman Cancer Center

    Cleveland, Ohio 44106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

    Cleveland 5150529, Ohio 5165418 44106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Allegheny General Hospital

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Allegheny General Hospital

    Pittsburgh 5206379, Pennsylvania 6254927 15212
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Rapid City Regional Hospital

    Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Rapid City Regional Hospital

    Rapid City 5768233, South Dakota 5769223 57701
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin LAPS

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Medical College of Wisconsin

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin LAPS

    Milwaukee 5263045, Wisconsin 5279468 53226
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Medical College of Wisconsin

    Milwaukee 5263045, Wisconsin 5279468 53226
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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