PURPOSE: Evidence for radiotherapy (RT) in oligoprogressive hepatocellular carcinoma (OP-HCC) is limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of progression-directed RT (PDRT) alongside ongoing first-line systemic therapy (FLST) in patients with OP-HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who developed OP-HCC during FLST were enrolled and received PDRT with a biologically effective dose of at least 60 Gy while continuing FLST. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DOR), toxicities, and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: From March 2024 through May 2025, 36 patients were enrolled from 10 cancer centers. At a median follow-up time of 10.9 months, median PFS time was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval 4.9-9.7), with 3-, 6-, and 9-month PFS rates of 73.7%, 64%, and 38.8%, respectively. Type of FLST and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade at oligoprogression were independently associated with PFS. Median OS and DOR times were not reached; 1-year OS rates were 86.4%, and 3-, 6-, and 9-month DOR rates were 84.6%, 79.6%, and 70.8%, respectively. ORR and DCR were 64.7% and 98.0%, respectively. QoL measures generally remained stable, except for transient increases in fatigue and pain scores 1 month after PDRT. RT-related toxicities (mostly grades 1-2) occurred in 16 patients (44.4%), including grade ≥3 events in four patients (11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining FLST with PDRT was effective, safe, and preserved QoL, supporting its feasibility for OP-HCC. FLST type and baseline ALBI grade may provide risk stratification and prognosis for PFS.
Shi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.