This year’s ASCO Annual Meeting brought encouraging news for people living with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.

Researchers presented results from the Phase III EMERALD-3 study, which explored whether combining immunotherapy (Tremelimumab and Durvalumab), targeted therapy (Lenvatinib), and a commonly used liver cancer procedure called TACE (transarterial chemoembolization), which blocks the blood supply feeding liver tumours, could improve outcomes for people with liver tumours that cannot be surgically removed.

The results showed that patients receiving the combination treatment experienced a significantly longer period before their cancer worsened compared with those receiving TACE alone. The study reported a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, representing an important step forward for this group of patients.

Why is this important?

For many years, treatment options for patients with intermediate-stage liver cancer have relied heavily on local treatments such as TACE. However, researchers increasingly believe that combining local treatments with systemic therapies, including immunotherapy, may help improve outcomes and potentially delay disease progression.

The EMERALD-3 results support this evolving approach and suggest that bringing effective systemic treatments earlier into the patient journey could provide additional benefit for some people living with liver cancer.