RecruitingInterventionalPhase 3

Phase III Randomized Trial of IO-Based Systemic Treatment +/- Liver SBRT in Hepatocellular Cancer With Macrovascular Invasion (HELIO-RT)

NCT ID: NCT07166406Sponsor: NRG OncologyLast updated: 2026-05-04

Summary

This phase III trial compares the effect of immunotherapy (IO) with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to IO alone in treating patients with liver cancer (hepatocellular cancer) that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). The usual approach is treatment with IO-based drug combinations, such as atezolizumab and bevacizumab, durvalumab and tremelimumab, or ipilimumab and nivolumab. IO with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab, tremelimumab, atezolizumab, nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Bevacizumab is in a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. It works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumor. This may slow the growth and spread of tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. SBRT is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body (except the brain). The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller doses given over several days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue. Giving IO with SBRT may be more effective than IO alone in helping patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer live longer.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine if liver SBRT in combination with IO-based systemic therapy improves survival compared to IO-based systemic therapy alone, in patients with hepatocellular cancer with macrovascular invasion. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate and compare progression-free survival between treatment arms. II. To evaluate and compare objective response rate between treatment arms. III. To evaluate and compare vascular recanalization between treatment arms. IV. To evaluate and compare biochemical decline in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) between treatment arms. V. To evaluate and compare toxicity within and between treatment arms. VI. To evaluate and compare liver decompensation per Child Pugh score between treatment arms. VII. To evaluate and compare liver decompensation per modified albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) (mALBI) score between treatment arms. HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQOL) OBJECTIVES: I. Primary: To compare Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) total score at 6 months between the treatment arms. II. Secondary: To evaluate and compare quality-adjusted survival using European Quality of Life Five Dimension (EQ-5D) between treatment arms. (Will be done if the overall survival primary endpoint is met and/or if EQ-5D significantly differs between treatment arms.) III. Exploratory: To evaluate FACT-Hep total scores over time between the treatment arms. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. Biospecimen collection for future correlative analyses. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM 1: Patients receive 1 of 3 IO-based systemic treatments per physician's decision. TREATMENT A: Patients receive atezolizumab and bevacizumab intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. TREATMENT B: Patients receive tremelimumab IV once and durvalumab IV every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. TREATMENT C: Patients receive nivolumab and ipilimumab IV every 3 weeks for up to 4 doses followed by nivolumab IV every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM 2: Patients receive 1 of 3 IO-based systemic treatments per physician's decision. TREATMENT A: Patients undergo liver SBRT once daily (QD), once every other day (QOD), or twice weekly for 5 fractions over up to 3 weeks. Patients also receive atezolizumab and bevacizumab IV every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. TREATMENT B: Patients undergo liver SBRT QD, QOD, or twice weekly for 5 fractions over up to 3 weeks. Patients also receive tremelimumab IV once and durvalumab IV every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. TREATMENT C: Patients undergo liver SBRT QD, QOD, or twice weekly for 5 fractions over up to 3 weeks. Patients also receive nivolumab and ipilimumab IV every 3 weeks for up to 4 doses followed by nivolumab IV every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Additionally, patients undergo blood sample collection, chest computed tomography (CT) and CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) throughout the study and may also undergo positron emission tomography (PET)/CT prior to registration. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years then yearly.

Arms & interventions

BiologicalAtezolizumab
Given IV
BiologicalBevacizumab
Given IV
ProcedureBiospecimen Collection
Undergo blood sample collection
ProcedureComputed Tomography
Undergo CT and PET/CT
BiologicalDurvalumab
Given IV
BiologicalIpilimumab
Given IV
ProcedureMagnetic Resonance Imaging
Undergo MRI
BiologicalNivolumab
Given IV
ProcedurePositron Emission Tomography
Undergo PET/CT
OtherQuestionnaire Administration
Ancillary studies
RadiationStereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
Undergo liver SBRT
BiologicalTremelimumab
Given IV

Outcome measures

Primary

Overall survival (OS)
Will be estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method (Kaplan 1958). The distributions of the OS estimates between the two arms will be compared using a log-rank test. The Cox regression model will be used to analyze the effects of factors, in addition to treatment, including, but not limited to stratification factors, which may be associated with OS. The primary analysis will happen after at least 150 OS events (deaths) have occurred and will be tested with a 1-sided significance level of 0.022 (level based on not having stopped at either of the 2 planned interim analyses).
Time frame: From the date of randomization to the date of death or last follow-up, assessed up to 5 years

Secondary

Progression-free survival (PFS)
Time frame: From the date of randomization to the date of first PFS failure or last follow-up for patients without a reported PFS event, assessed up to 5 years
Objective response rate (ORR)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Vascular recanalization (VR)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Short-term toxicity
Time frame: Up to 90 days from randomization
Selected long-term treatment-related toxicity
Time frame: Up to 18 months after randomization
Biochemical decline in alpha-fetoprotein (BD-AFP)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Liver decompensation rate per Child Pugh score (LDR-CP)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Liver decompensation rate per modified albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score (LDR-mALBI)
Time frame: Up to 5 years

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years and olderHealthy volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria: * PRIOR TO STEP 1 REGISTRATION: * Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by at least 1 criterion listed below: * Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of HCC (strongly recommended) * Radiographically proven (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases \[AASLD\] criteria) diagnosis of HCC by multiphasic MRI and/or CT scan is allowed. * For patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy, pathologic confirmation of hepatocellular cancer is required. * HCC macrovascular invasion, defined as enhancing vascular thrombosis demonstrating arterial enhancement and venous or delayed venous washout on multiphasic MRI and/or CT is required. * Presence of extrahepatic metastatic disease on CT chest and CT or MRI pelvis, or PET/CT chest/abdomen/pelvis is permitted. * 5 or fewer discrete intrahepatic parenchymal foci of HCC. * Total maximal sum of hepatocellular carcinoma tumors, as a single conglomerate, multiple lesions, or infiltrative HCC \< 20 cm in total summed diameter. * No direct primary tumor extension into the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, or large bowel. * No known fibrolamellar HCC, sarcomatoid HCC, or biphenotypic HCC. * Child-Pugh class A or B7 liver function. * Age ≥ 18. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2. * Not pregnant and not nursing * Negative urine or serum pregnancy test (in persons of childbearing potential) within 30 days prior to registration. Childbearing potential is defined as any person who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or who is not postmenopausal. * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm\^3. * Platelets ≥ 60,000 cells/mm\^3. * Hemoglobin ≥ 8g/dl (Note: The use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin \[Hgb\] ≥ 8g/dl is acceptable). * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 6 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN). * Total bilirubin \< 4 x institutional ULN. * Creatinine clearance (CrCL) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 by the Cockcroft-Gault formula. * For treatment of HCC: * Prior surgical resection, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and ablation are permitted. * No prior systemic therapy or transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for HCC. * No history of liver transplantation. * For prior treatment for any malignancy: * Prior systemic therapy for a different cancer is allowable, except for prior immunotherapy. * No prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in significant overlap of radiation therapy fields that would lead to excessive cumulative toxicity at the discretion of the investigator. * No medical contraindication to the standard of care immunotherapy. * For patients to be treated with atezolizumab/bevacizumab: * No history of a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed or other clinically significant bleeding event within 6 months prior to study registration. * Systemic immunostimulatory agents (including, but not limited to, interferons and interleukin-2 \[IL-2\]) are prohibited within 4 weeks or five drug elimination half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to registration and during the study period. * No history of allergic reaction to the systemic therapy agent(s), compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to the systemic therapy agent(s) (or any of its excipients). * PRIOR TO STEP 2 RANDOMIZATION: * Obtain confirmation of payment coverage (insurance or other) for both possible treatment arms.

Study locations (107)

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Herrick Campus

Berkeley, California, 94704

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Cameron Park

Cameron Park, California, 95682

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Fremont

Fremont, California, 94538

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care

Irvine, California, 92612

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

877-827-8839 ucstudy@uci.edu

Caressa Hui · Principal Investigator

Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Camino Division

Mountain View, California, 94040

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Orange, California, 92868

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

877-827-8839 ucstudy@uci.edu

Caressa Hui · Principal Investigator

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Health Care

Palo Alto, California, 94301

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Roseville

Roseville, California, 95661

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

Roseville, California, 95661

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Sutter Medical Center Sacramento

Sacramento, California, 95816

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sacramento, California, 95817

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

916-734-3089

Edward J. Kim · Principal Investigator

California Pacific Medical Center-Pacific Campus

San Francisco, California, 94115

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Santa Rosa, California, 95403

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

415-209-2683 clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale, California, 94086

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org

Jorge A. Garcia-Young · Principal Investigator

Poudre Valley Hospital

Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

970-297-6150

Joshua H. Petit · Principal Investigator

Cancer Care and Hematology-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado, 80528

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

412-339-5294 Roster@nrgoncology.org

Joshua H. Petit · Principal Investigator

Saint Mary's Hospital and Regional Medical Center

Grand Junction, Colorado, 81501

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

303-777-2663 ccrp@co-cancerresearch.org

Lucas Gilbride · Principal Investigator

UCHealth Greeley Hospital

Greeley, Colorado, 80631

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

412-339-5294 Roster@nrgoncology.org

Joshua H. Petit · Principal Investigator

Medical Center of the Rockies

Loveland, Colorado, 80538

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

970-203-7083

Joshua H. Petit · Principal Investigator

Smilow Cancer Hospital-Derby Care Center

Derby, Connecticut, 06418

Recruiting

Site Public Contact · Contact

203-785-5702 canceranswers@yale.edu