Scientific Workshop: Immune Duo – Progress in the Treatment of Advanced Liver Cancer

The event brings together leading experts in the fields of oncology, hepatobiliary, and digestive medicine, along with a team of medical professionals, opening an in-depth academic forum to update the latest advances in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Overview of the workshop.

Liver cancer is a common cancer in Vietnam, with 24,502 new cases each year (accounting for 13.6% of all cancer cases) and 23,333 deaths (accounting for 19.4% of all cancer deaths), according to Globocan 2022 data. Of which, HCC accounts for up to 90% of all liver cancer cases, with the majority of patients diagnosed at a late stage when surgery is no longer a viable option. For more than a decade, systemic therapies for uHCC have remained limited, leading to poor survival outcomes.

The development of immunotherapy has opened a new era, completely changing the treatment strategy for uHCC and bringing hope to prolong the lives of patients. One of the outstanding regimens presented at the conference was STRIDE (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab). Based on the results of the HIMALAYA study, this regimen has demonstrated superior efficacy compared to sorafenib, significantly improving survival rates at 3, 4 and 5 years - marking an important turning point in the treatment of uHCC in Vietnam.

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Diep Bao Tuan - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, shared: "This workshop is an important professional forum, helping to connect international updates with treatment practices in Vietnam. In the context that liver cancer is still the leading burden, sharing experiences and discussing new therapies such as combination immunotherapy is essential to expand treatment options and improve the quality of patient care."

Dr. Diep Bao Tuan - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital spoke at the event.

Dr. Choo Su Pin - Director of Curie Cancer Treatment Center (Singapore) commented: "The HIMALAYA study showed that the STRIDE regimen - combining a single dose of Tremelimumab and regular maintenance Durvalumab - brought about a clear survival benefit compared to sorafenib, especially at long-term time points. This is a significant scientific step forward, and at the same time brings opportunities for countries like Vietnam to improve treatment standards, especially for patients with complex disease stages."

The professional presentations from Master, Doctor, Specialist II Phan Tan Thuan (Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital), Doctor, Specialist II Hoang Thi Mai Hien and Doctor, Doctor, Doctor Tran Cong Duy Long (Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital) added practical perspectives, revolving around optimizing immune regimens in Vietnam. Topics included: individualizing treatment, managing side effects, evaluating long-term effectiveness as well as the mechanism of action of the duo Tremelimumab (CTLA-4 inhibitor) and Durvalumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) - combined to strongly activate the immune system, effectively and sustainably destroying cancer cells.

The lively discussions between experts and attending physicians helped broaden the perspective on applying immunotherapy regimens in the Vietnamese clinical context, thereby building more appropriate and personalized treatment strategies for patients.

The conference also recognized the support of AstraZeneca, a pioneer in developing immunotherapy. Mr. Atul Tandon - General Director, Representative of AstraZeneca Vietnam shared: “At AstraZeneca, we are leading a revolution in cancer solutions. Our ambition is to leverage the potential of science to discover, develop and deliver innovative treatments that transform outcomes and increase the likelihood of cures.

We are exploring new immunotherapy combinations to counteract the immunosuppressive factors associated with liver cancer. And immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and is now part of the recognized standard of care for liver cancer.”

Mr. Atul Tandon - General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam shared about Immunotherapy that has revolutionized cancer treatment.

The conference not only connects international medical knowledge with domestic treatment practices, but also marks an important step forward in efforts to improve the quality of liver cancer treatment in Vietnam. With close cooperation between leading hospitals and pioneering organizations such as AstraZeneca, the Vietnamese medical community is moving closer to the goal of improving the prognosis for complex cancers such as uHCC – bringing hope for long-term survival and better quality of life for patients.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-bo-doi-mien-dich-tien-bo-trong-dieu-tri-ung-thu-gan-giai-doan-tien-trien-post546270.html