不可切除肝细胞癌局部治疗联合靶向及免疫 治疗的临床研究进展
Clinical Research Advances in Local Therapy Combined with Targeted and Immunotherapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
摘要: 肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)作为全球高发的恶性肿瘤之一,具有高发病率、高死亡率的特点,许多患者在发现时因肿瘤体积大、分期晚、合并严重肝硬化等原因无法进行外科手术切除。如何提升不可切除肝细胞癌(unresectable HCC, uHCC)患者疗效,成为临床肿瘤学领域的重大挑战。为突破传统治疗的局限性,局部治疗联合系统性的靶向和免疫治疗已成为uHCC治疗的新模式,展现出协同增效、提升转化率的巨大潜力。本文旨在系统阐述联合治疗的理论基础,综述不同局部治疗方式与各类靶免方案联合的最新临床研究证据,分析当前面临的挑战并对未来发展方向进行展望。
Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Many patients are diagnosed with tumors that are unresectable due to large tumor size, advanced stage or severe underlying cirrhosis. Improving outcomes for patients with unresectable HCC (uHCC) remains a major challenge in clinical oncology. To overcome the limitations of conventional treatments, the combination of local therapy with systemic targeted and immunotherapy has emerged as a new therapeutic paradigm for uHCC, demonstrating significant potential for synergistic efficacy and increased conversion rates. This article aims to systematically elucidate the theoretical basis of combination therapy, review the latest clinical evidence on different local modalities combined with various targeted and immunotherapeutic regimens, analyze current challenges, and discuss future directions.
文章引用:熊刚, 邓欢. 不可切除肝细胞癌局部治疗联合靶向及免疫 治疗的临床研究进展[J]. 临床医学进展, 2026, 16(3): 42-56. https://doi.org/10.12677/acm.2026.163761

1. 引言

肝细胞癌(HCC)是全球范围内最常见的原发性肝癌之一,发病率居恶性肿瘤第5位(肺、女性乳腺、甲状腺、结直肠、肝),死亡率位居第2位(肺、肝),在世界范围内构成严重的公共卫生问题和巨大的社会经济负担,其中许多患者确诊时已处于中晚期阶段,导致预后不佳[1]。在中晚期HCC患者中,由于肿瘤体积较大、侵犯范围广、或存在远处转移等原因,往往失去手术机会。此外,许多中晚期HCC患者常伴有不同程度的肝硬化或其他肝功能障碍,这进一步增加了手术风险和术后并发症的发生率,使得手术切除在中晚期HCC中的应用受到限制[2]。HCC对传统化疗药物的敏感性较低,且化疗药物的全身毒副作用大,患者耐受性差,难以达到有效的治疗浓度。虽然放疗在局部控制肿瘤方面具有一定作用,但肝脏对放射线的耐受性较低,容易引起放射性肝损伤,特别是对于已经存在肝功能损害的患者,风险更高[3]

由于传统手术、化疗、放疗对中晚期HCC治疗存在局限,局部治疗(包括经动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)、肝动脉灌注化疗(HAIC)、经动脉放射性栓塞(TARE)、局部消融、立体定向放疗(SBRT)等)与靶向/免疫治疗结合的模式成为突破方向[4]。局部治疗可降低肿瘤负荷,但单独应用疗效有限,比如单纯TACE存在对于巨块型肿瘤存在栓塞不全、易复发等问题[5]。索拉非尼是我国第一个被批准用于肝癌系统治疗的靶向药物,在很长一段时间作为HCC系统治疗核心[6],但仑伐替尼、阿帕替尼、贝伐珠单抗疗等新一代分子靶向药物相继问世,展现出了更加显著的临床效益[7] [8]。随着免疫治疗在肿瘤领域的研究深入,免疫检查点抑制剂(ICIs)联合分子靶向药物的抗肿瘤方案逐渐兴起,IMbrave150研究[9]显示,与索拉非尼相比,阿替利珠单抗与贝伐珠单抗联合疗法可显著提高既往未接受过系统性治疗的uHCC患者的OS (19.2个月vs 13.4个月)和PFS (6.8个月vs. 4.3个月),这使得阿替利珠单抗联合贝伐珠单抗已成为uHCC患者一线治疗的标准。尽管新的靶向治疗和免疫检查点抑制剂带来了生存突破,但靶免药物仍然存在耐药、免疫应答率存在个体差异、不良反应等问题限制着药物疗效,为了克服单一疗法的局限性,实现更持久的肿瘤控制和更好的患者预后,目前临床应用局部治疗联合靶向和或免疫药物的治疗方案已显示出显著的疗效和前景,联合治疗旨在通过协同作用增强抗肿瘤活性、降低毒性反应,并解决肿瘤异质性及耐药性问题。

2. 联合治疗的理论基础:协同作用的机制

2.1. 局部治疗的免疫调控

2.1.1. 肿瘤抗原释放

局部治疗导致肿瘤细胞免疫原性细胞死亡(immunogenic cell death, ICD),释放大量新抗原,激活机体抗肿瘤免疫应答。一项临床前研究[10]表明,各种HCC细胞系辐射后PD-L1表达呈剂量依赖性上调,主要是通过IFN-γ/转录激活子3信号通路介导。部分癌细胞在辐射后迅速衰老,即细胞增殖能力耗尽后进入广泛且永久的细胞周期停滞[11],虽然衰老后的癌细胞增殖能力大大减弱,但衰老细胞仍有一定活力,可分泌大量促炎细胞因子、趋化因子、生长因子和蛋白酶等,并对周围细胞产生影响,促进肿瘤生存和生长[12]。研究表明这些被释放的信号分子可增强肿瘤的免疫原性,从而提高免疫抑制剂的应答,同时它们亦可被呈递到T淋巴细胞,对远处未治疗肿瘤产生抑制效果。

2.1.2. 肿瘤微环境重塑

肿瘤往往通过多种机制,如募集免疫抑制细胞、抑制效应细胞功能等,来构建免疫抑制微环境,导致免疫治疗的耐药。而局部治疗在一定程度上打破了免疫抑制状态,促进T细胞浸润,上调PD-L1等免疫检查点表达,通过重塑免疫微环境,将“冷肿瘤”转变为“热肿瘤”[13],为免疫治疗“创造机会”和“扫清障碍”。

2.2. 系统治疗的“助攻”作用

2.2.1. 分子靶向药物治疗

肿瘤血管通常表现为结构紊乱、高通透性和低灌注,导致缺氧和药物递送效率低下[14]。通过抗血管生成药物(如抗VEGF)可抑制肿瘤血管过度增生,使肿瘤血管正常化,从而改善血流灌注和氧合,起到化疗增强、放疗增敏、提升免疫应答等作用[15]

2.2.2. 免疫检查点抑制剂治疗

免疫检查点抑制剂(ICIs)通过阻断肿瘤细胞和免疫细胞之间的抑制性信号通路,从而增强机体对肿瘤细胞的免疫应答。利用局部治疗创造的“免疫热环境”,可进一步强化解除T细胞抑制,放大并维持全身性的抗肿瘤免疫反应,清除微小转移灶,降低uHCC局部治疗后转移及复发风险[16]

3. 不同局部治疗联合靶免方案的临床研究全景

3.1. 肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)基础的联合

TACE是中晚期HCC的主要局部治疗方法,通过化疗药物杀伤肿瘤细胞和栓塞材料阻断肿瘤血供,实现局部控制[16]。然而,由于肿瘤异质性和疾病进展,单独TACE的疗效存在局限,部分患者无法从中获益,这促使研究者探索TACE联合系统治疗以增强疗效。

3.1.1. TACE联合靶向药物

分子靶向药物可抑制肿瘤新生血管形成,在阻断肿瘤血供的同时改善局部治疗药物递送。在索拉非尼问世后就有不少学者将其与TACE联合应用,多项研究表明,索拉非尼与TACE联合治疗在晚期HCC患者中可能优于单独TACE治疗。一项多中心回顾性研究[17]认为TACE联合索拉非尼在慢性乙型肝炎为主的HCC患者中具有潜在疗效;另一项随机对照试验[18]比较了TACE联合索拉非尼与单独TACE的疗效,发现在初始TACE前接受索拉非尼预处理显著延长了中位总生存期(mOS)及无进展生存期(PFS)。但TACE与索拉非尼联合治疗在生存获益方面存在相当大争议,一项系统综述和网络荟萃分析[19]纳入27项研究,分析了TACE联合索拉非尼的疗效指标,联合治疗显著改善了疾病控制率(DCR)和PFS,但在OS上未观察到阳性结局,该研究认为患者身体状况的异质性是影响OS的主要因素,另外不同的研究设计,包括治疗程序、TACE次数及索拉非尼给药持续时间,也可能对结局产生影响。一项关于TACE联合索拉非尼的三期临床研究[20]中显示,索拉非尼联合治疗组和单纯TACE治疗组的中位疾病进展时间(mTTP)分别为5.4个月和3.7个月,索拉非尼在TACE治疗后未显著延长mTTP。

新型靶向药物与TACE联合治疗真实世界的研究中展现出更好的临床结局。一项开放标签、单中心随机试验[21]显示,对于伴有门静脉癌栓(PVTT)和大肿瘤负荷的uHCC患者,联合仑伐替尼与联合索拉非尼相比较,联合仑伐替尼组有着更高mPFS (4.7个月vs. 3.1个月,P = 0.029)和客观反应率(ORR) (53.1% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.039),联合仑伐替尼并未显著增加不良事件发生率。此外在一项关于索拉非尼-TACE难治性HCC序贯治疗的回顾性研究[22]显示,序贯阿帕替尼的mOS为14.0个月,索拉非尼-TACE治疗的mOS仅有9.0个月。Xie等人[23]研究TACE联合贝伐珠单抗的研究结果显示:TACE联合贝伐珠单抗治疗的患者mPFS为7.9个月、mOS为16.1个月。当前更多的证据倾向于TACE联合新一代TKIs在疗效和安全性上优于TACE联合索拉非尼。

3.1.2. TACE联合免疫检查点药物的治疗

TACE可释放肿瘤抗原,增强免疫原性,而ICIs (如PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂)可解除免疫抑制,二者联用可能产生协同抗肿瘤效应[24]。一项关于TACE与免疫检查点抑制剂联合治疗uHCC的回顾性研究[25]显示在联合ICIs治疗后三个月,ORR为84%,中位PFS和OS分别为35.1个月和8.8个月,这种联合方案的协同效应源于TACE诱导的免疫原性细胞死亡与免疫治疗的全身性激活相结合,从而改善肿瘤消退和长期生存。Nan [26]在其发表的综述中提出免疫治疗作为单药治疗中晚期HCC效果有限,但与TACE联合后,能显著提升疾病控制效果。在安全性方面,TACE联合ICIs治疗的不良反应主要包括免疫相关事件(如皮疹、疲劳)和栓塞相关并发症(如发热、腹痛) [27]。Zhang [28]等人展开了TACE联合卡瑞丽珠治疗uHCC研究,结果显示TACE联合卡瑞丽珠治疗的ORR为35.3%,mPFS和mOS分别为6.1个月和13.3个月,I/II级和III/IV级AE发生率分别为58.8%和5.9%,该方案不良事件发生率与单独使用卡瑞丽珠治疗类似,但需警惕免疫相关肝炎的风险。

3.1.3. TACE联合靶向免疫治疗的“三联”模式

TACE可诱导肿瘤微环境变化,增强免疫细胞浸润,而靶向药物(如抗VEGF药物)可抑制免疫抑制性因子,从而提升免疫治疗的响应率。这种协同效应使TACE联合靶免治疗的“三联”模式成为有前景的方案,尤其适用于肿瘤负荷高的中晚期uHCC [29]

CARES-005研究[30]结果显示,TACE联合卡瑞利珠单抗和阿帕替尼相较于单纯TACE治疗,联合治疗组的mPFS明显延长(10.8个月vs. 3.2个月),降低疾病进展或死亡风险达66%,达到了PFS的主要终点,ORR改善较TACE组更明显(65.0% vs. 29.0%)。TALENTACE研究[31]分析了“TACE先行、按需TACE”联合阿替利珠单抗 + 贝伐珠单抗的“局部 + 系统”治疗模式的预后及安全性,研究显示联合治疗组较于单纯TACE组,显著延长mPFS至11.30个月,并提升ORR至81.3%,完全缓解率(CR)达39.2%,联合治疗组的安全性特征与阿替利珠单抗、贝伐珠单抗及TACE的已知安全性一致,未发现新的安全性事件,且高血压、蛋白尿等常见不良事件均可通过标准管理措施控制。Zhang [32]等人对TACE联合阿替利珠单抗 + 贝伐珠单抗进行回顾性研究,患者的OS和PFS分别为26.8个月和16.0个月,3/4级不良事件发生率24.3%,安全性可控,该结论与TALENTACE研究结果一致。此外还有学者对TACE联合其他靶免方案进行研究,一项回顾性研究[33]分析了TACE + 仑伐替尼 + PD-1抑制剂(TACE-L-P)与TACE + 仑伐替尼(TACE-L)在uHCC患者的疗效,研究显示:TACE-L-P组mOS (16.9个月vs. 12.1个月)和mPFS延长(7.3个月vs. 4.0个月),DCR为85.4%,ORR为56.1%,该研究认为TACE + 仑伐替尼 + PD-1疗法对uHCC患者有更高的肿瘤反应率和更长的生存时间。Jia [34]等人展开了关于TACE + 信迪利单抗 + 贝伐珠单抗(SBT方案)治疗初治晚期肝细胞癌(HCC)的回顾性研究,结果显示SBT方案ORR达53.8%,mPFS为12.0个月,mOS为23.8个月,具有显著的治疗疗效,且不良反应可控。Zeran [35]等人在TACE联合仑伐替尼和帕博利珠单抗治疗晚期HCC的研究中表明与TACE联合仑伐替尼治疗相比,TACE联合仑伐替尼和帕博利珠单抗方案能显著改善患者的OS和PFS,该研究还观察到TACE联合仑伐替尼和帕博利珠单抗治疗组患者治疗后血清PIVKA-II (维生素K缺乏诱导蛋白-II)水平下降,且与OS呈负相关,PIVKA-II有望成为评价该方案的预后指标。Li [36]等人在TACE联合仑伐替尼及ICIs研究中报道了联合治疗组显著延长了患者OS及PFS,同时该研究指出了C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein, CRP)的变化可能为该方案疗效的预测因子。此外近期一项关于靶向免疫治疗与HAIC、TACE四方案联合治疗的回顾性研究[37]:研究依据介入治疗先后顺序分成HAIC为先的四联疗法(HTTI)、TACE为先的四联疗法(THTI)以及TACE联合靶免的三联疗法(TTI),结果显示HTTI组达到了最高的客观缓解率(ORR, 81.97%)和疾病控制率(DCR, 96.72%),优于THTI组(ORR73.17%, DCR95.12%)和TTI组(ORR: 64.28%, DCR: 85.71%)。HTTI组未达到mOS;THTI组的mOS (22.30个月)长于TTI组(19.00个月,P = 0.046)。HTTI组的mPFS也更长(12.90个月),与THTI组(10.40个月,P = 0.042)和TTI组(9.30个月,P < 0.001),与三联疗法相比,四联疗法对uHCC的疗效更优,采用HAIC治疗后进行TACE的治疗顺序比相反顺序更有效,该研究指出HTTI组的随访时间相对较短,尽管观察到PFS和ORR有显著改善,这些早期优势能否转化为长期的OS获益仍不确定,此外四联疗法疾病严重程度更高,与三联疗法相比仍能显示明显优势,但仍需更大样本验证其准确性。在安全性方面,TACE靶免方案的不良反应包括:栓塞相关事件(如TACE后综合征)、靶向药物副作用(如高血压、胃肠道反应)和免疫相关事件(如皮疹、免疫相关性肠炎、免疫相关性肝炎、甲状腺疾病等) [38]。大多数研究报告安全性可控,严重不良事件发生率与单独系统治疗相当,但仍需个性化监测,特别是肝功能损害和免疫相关不良反应[39]。一项荟萃分析[40]提示联合治疗的整体安全性在临床可接受范围内,但患者选择和基线评估至关重要。综上,TACE联合靶向免疫治疗可进一步提高肿瘤缓解率和延长无进展生存期同时具有可控的安全性。

3.1.4. TACE联合系统治疗的整体结论

TACE联合靶向、免疫或靶免治疗在uHCC中展现出显著临床价值,当前研究认为,TACE联合靶免治疗通常优于单药联合或单独TACE治疗,能提供更高的肿瘤响应率和生存率[41]。同时,联合治疗风险可控,与单一治疗方案相比未显著增加不良反应发生率,但需警惕不良反应的叠加效应,因此需强调密切监测和管理[40]。尽管TACE主导的“三联”模式临床研究结果令人鼓舞,但该治疗模式仍存在以下局限性:首先,多数研究为回顾性分析或单臂II期试验,缺乏大规模随机对照试验验证,且部分研究样本量较小,可能影响统计效力[42];其次,联合方案缺乏统一共识,一方面TACE技术本身存在差异,传统TACE与载药微球TACE (DEB-TACE)的栓塞剂在载药能力、缓释性和生物降解性方面仍有优化空间[43],另一方面靶向/免疫药物组合未统一,索拉非尼、仑伐替尼、阿帕替尼、瑞戈非尼、贝伐珠单抗与阿替利珠单抗、卡瑞利珠单抗、信迪利单抗、替雷利珠单抗等多种组合缺乏最佳配伍的共识。此外,现阶段仍缺少对疗效预测标志物的深入探索,如PD-L1表达、CRP、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、PIVKA-II水平的预测价值仅在少数研究中探索,且预测价值尚不明确,缺乏前瞻性验证。

3.2. 肝动脉灌注化疗(HAIC)为基础的联合

肝动脉灌注化疗(HAIC)是通过动脉导管将化疗药物直接注入肝动脉系统,在经导管技术进步和优化化疗方案的推动下,已成为一种具有前景的局部区域治疗方式。这种靶向给药方式不仅能实现比全身化疗更高的瘤内药物浓度,还能显著降低肝外毒性[44]。HAIC单独使用时已显示出一定的抗肿瘤活性,但其整体疗效仍不理想,需要联合系统治疗以增强效果[45]。目前的临床HAIC方案包括FOLFOX (奥沙利铂 + 5-氟尿嘧啶 + 亚叶酸钙)、低剂量氟尿嘧啶–顺铂(FP)、氟尿嘧啶–干扰素动脉输注治疗(FAIT)、奥沙利铂代替顺铂或卡培他滨/替吉奥代替氟尿嘧啶的新FP方案以及奥沙利铂–雷替曲塞方案,其疗效受药物组合、肿瘤状态、个体应答等多方面因素影响;其中FOLFOX方案是中国推荐的HCC一线全身化疗方案,并已广泛应用于HAIC治疗[46]

3.2.1. HAIC联合靶向药物的治疗

靶向治疗与HAIC联合后,可产生协同效应,提升晚期HCC的生存率。尤其是在高肿瘤负荷、伴门静脉癌栓的uHCC患者中取得的惊人转化率和生存数据。一项II期临床试验[47]证实了HAIC联合索拉非尼较单用索拉非尼显示更优总生存获益,在伴有严重门静脉癌栓(PPVT)形成的晚期HCC中,联合治疗较索拉非尼单药治疗的OS显著延长(16.3 vs 6.5个月,P < 0.001)。此外,Lu [48]等人在HAIC与靶向药物的联合治疗方案的研究中报道了HAIC联合TKIs治疗组的ORR为60.8%,手术转化率为25.5%,mPFS为15.2个月。以上研究显示出HAIC联合靶向药物这种组合在uHCC患者中显示出生存益处,可能成为一线治疗选择。HAIC联合靶向治疗的不良事件主要包括肝功能异常、高血压和疲劳,但多数可管理。此外有研究报道[49] HAIC的加入可能减少靶向药物的耐药性,不过并非所有患者都响应,需要个体化评估。

3.2.2. HAIC联合免疫检查点抑制剂的治疗

HAIC与免疫治疗联合,可提升肿瘤微环境的免疫应答。一项关于HAIC联合抗PD-1免疫治疗uHCC的回顾性研究[50]报道了联合治疗组的mOS为18.0个月、mPFS为10.0个月,单纯HAIC组mOS为14.6个月、mPFS为5.6个月;联合治疗组的疾病控制率(83% vs 66%; p = 0.006)高于HAIC组,结果显示HAIC联合抗PD-1免疫治疗组在晚期HCC患者中具有更好的治疗反应和生存获益。HAIC作为局部治疗,能促进肿瘤抗原释放,增强免疫检查点抑制剂的疗效,这在伴PPVT的晚期HCC中尤为明显。Li [51]等人报道在HAIC联合免疫治疗在合并PPVT的中晚期HCC患者中,mOS和mPFS分别为14.9个月和6.9个月,3~4级不良事件的发生率31.1%,其中转氨酶升高和总胆红素升高最为常见。在安全性方面,HAIC联合免疫治疗常见不良事件包括免疫治疗相关的不良反应(如皮疹、肝炎)和化疗诱导的不良反应(如恶心、呕吐等),但整体安全性可控。免疫治疗单独应用于HCC患者的响应率不高,HAIC的加入可能扩大受益人群,但缺乏可靠的生物标志物来筛选优势人群[52]

3.2.3. HAIC联合靶向免疫治疗

随着对HAIC与全身系统治疗协同抗癌作用的认识加深,HAIC联合靶向免疫治疗在中晚期HCC显示出良好的协同效应和临床优势。一项荟萃分析[53]指出HAIC联合仑伐替尼和PD-1抑制剂能提高客观缓解率,并可能实现肿瘤降期,使部分不可切除HCC转为可切除。一项回顾性研究[54]分析了HAIC联合靶免药物治疗uHCC患者,结果显示总体ORR为47.1%,DCR为85.5%,mOS为21.7个月(95% CI: 19.7~24.3),mPFS为11.4个月(95% CI: 9.4~13.4),3~4级不良事件(AE)发生率53.1%,其中最常报告的不良事件为疲劳、发热和疼痛,该研究认为HAIC与仑伐替尼及免疫检查点抑制剂的联合使用,提高了ORR和转化治疗率,并在uHCC患者中延长了OS和PFS,同时保持了良好的安全性。此外,一项荟萃分析[55]支持HAIC联合仑伐替尼及PD-1抑制剂显著延长了OS和PFS。HAIC联合仑伐替尼和PD-1抑制剂治疗方案的不良事件发生率较高,包括高血压、肝功能异常和免疫相关毒性,但通过剂量调整和监测,多数患者可耐受[56]。一项来自中国的回顾性研究指出[57],HAIC联合仑伐替尼及PD-1抑制剂治疗合并Vp4型门静脉癌栓和(或)肝脏受侵范围超过50%的uHCC,ORR和DCR分别为76.7%和92.2%,mPFS为9.6月,mOS为19.3月。TACE的目标是彻底切断肿瘤的供血动脉,化疗药物在局部起效后,栓塞剂造成的缺血缺氧是导致肿瘤细胞坏死的更主要原因,HAIC则是利用肝脏肿瘤主要靠肝动脉供血的特点,让高浓度化疗药24~48小时持续、直接地冲刷肿瘤,使其内部细胞被大量杀伤。HAIC的优势人群特征包括肿瘤体积大(尤其≥10 cm)、合并门静脉癌栓、高肿瘤负荷患者。HAIC联合靶免治疗的方案可能为晚期HCC设定新的生存标准。然而并非所有患者均受益,部分可能出现耐药性,Chen [58]等人基于患者年龄、性别、乙型肝炎感染状态、实验室检验及免疫靶向相关不良事件绘制列线图模型(nomogram),用于识别适合HAIC联合靶免治疗的优势人群,以优化个性化决策。

3.2.4. HAIC联合系统治疗的整体结论

HAIC联合靶向、免疫或靶免治疗在晚期uHCC中显示出协同效应,显著提升OS、PFS和ORR。这种联合可能成为一线治疗策略,尤其对传统疗法响应不佳的患者。联合治疗的不良事件可控,但需密切监测肝功能和免疫相关副作用。HAIC的局部特性有助于降低全身毒性,而靶向和免疫的加入可能增加风险,需权衡利弊[59]。当前证据支持HAIC联合系统治疗作为转化治疗的潜力,但需更多高质量研究验证。HAIC联合靶向、免疫或靶免治疗是晚期uHCC的有效策略,能改善生存结局,但需个体化管理。临床实践中应结合患者特征(如肿瘤大小、PVTT状态)选择方案,并关注安全性监测。

3.3. 经动脉放射性栓塞(TARE)为基础的联合

TARE最初用于晚期肝癌的姑息性治疗,尤其适用于无法手术、消融或经动脉化疗栓塞的患者。随着技术进步,其应用范围已扩展至巴塞罗那肝癌分期(BCLC)各阶段,成为中晚期肝癌的成熟疗法[60]。相比系统治疗,TARE能更好地维持患者生活质量,尤其适用于合并大血管侵犯(MVI)或门静脉癌栓(PVTT)的病例[61]。目前研究证据支持TARE的局部控制可能进一步改善中晚期HCC靶免治疗的疗效。一项回顾性研究[62]纳入1664名符合条件的晚期HCC患者,其中142人接受了TARE与免疫联合治疗,1522人接受了单独免疫治疗。联合组的mOS显著高于单独免疫治疗组(19.8个月vs 9.5个月)。在多变量分析中,联合治疗与死亡率降低独立相关(HR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.36~0.68, P < 0.001),各亚组及使用倾向评分匹配和治疗概率反向加权的敏感性分析中保持一致,该研究提示TARE联合免疫治疗的疗效及安全性可能优于单独免疫治疗。

TARE联合靶免治疗在晚期HCC中具有理论协同性和初步临床潜力,但需进一步研究优化联合方案、明确适应人群并验证长期生存获益。

3.4. 放射治疗为基础的联合

放射治疗属于一种非侵入性技术,可将消融剂量的放射线输送至肿瘤,同时保留正常或非肿瘤肝组织[63]。肝癌放疗中比较常用的放射技术包括调强适形放射治疗(Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, IMRT)和立体定向放射治疗(stereotactic radiotherapy, SBRT),IMRT在合并有血管侵犯的肝癌中显示出良好的获益,而SBRT对于不适合外科手术或介入治疗的患者能实现癌栓缩小和恢复门静脉血流。SBRT通过诱导肿瘤细胞发生免疫原性细胞死亡(ICD),释放肿瘤相关抗原和损伤相关分子模式(DAMPs),激活树突细胞并增强抗原呈递能力,从而启动T细胞介导的抗肿瘤免疫应答[64]。在一项关于SBRT联合靶免治疗的回顾性研究[65]中纳入了16名BCLC C期的HCC患者,ORR和DCR分别为40%和86.7%,其中93.8%的患者出现了治疗相关不良事件,25%的患者出现3/4级的治疗相关不良反应。另外一项SBRT联合靶免治疗的多中心回顾性研究[66]中也表明SBRT联合靶免治疗组的mOS (18.5 vs. 12.6个月,P = 0.043)和mPFS (8.7 vs. 5.4个月,P = 0.013)皆优于未予以放疗的靶免治疗组。这些研究均表明放疗联合靶免治疗较之单独靶免或放疗获益更加显著,但由于不同患者的肿瘤类型、负荷及患者状态的不同,对于联合治疗中不同免疫抑制剂,不同放疗技术、剂量和分割方式,各种疗法介入治疗顺序等的最优选择上,仍需进一步的前瞻性研究。

3.5. 消融治疗为基础的联合

局部消融(如射频、微波、冷冻消融等)是早期肝癌的标准治疗手段,通过诱导肿瘤细胞免疫原性死亡,理论上可与免疫治疗产生协同效应。一项回顾性研究[67]纳入220例uHCC患者,比较了TACE联合酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(TKIs)和免疫检查点抑制剂(ICIs)加或不加微波消融(MWA)的疗效,结果显示,联合MWA组的ORR显著提高(58.3% vs. 42.7%),mPFS延长至12.1个月(未联合组为8.3个月),两组总生存期(OS)无显著差异;安全性方面,3~4级不良事件发生率相似(35.8% vs. 32.7%)。另一项研究[68]评估了微波消融联合阿帕替尼和卡瑞利珠单抗治疗晚期HCC的疗效,结果显示该三联方案的PFS和OS分别为10.8个月和19.3个月,其中3例(21.4%)患者实现了完全缓解,不良事件发生率比较单纯靶免治疗未显著升高。目前部分研究支持消融联合靶免治疗以及其他局部治疗的可行性,但其最佳应用场景(新辅助/辅助/晚期综合治疗)和具体方案仍需更多临床研究验证。

4. 局部治疗联合靶免治疗的挑战与思考

4.1. 新的耐药机制产生及对策

联合治疗背景下,不同治疗机制的相互作用催生了新的耐药机制:一是分子特征与信号通路介导的耐药,部分肿瘤可通过激活VEGFR2、PD-1/PD-L1等促血管生成或生存通路,逃逸TACE的局部杀伤;二是联合靶向与免疫治疗的耐药,如TACE联合阿帕替尼 + 卡瑞利珠单抗方案中,树突状细胞浸润不足、免疫抑制性细胞增多会导致PD-1抑制剂失效[69],且阿帕替尼抑制VEGFR2后,肿瘤可能通过FGF、PDGF等其他血管生成因子维持血供[70]

当前克服耐药的核心策略包括:1、优化药物递送系统,载药微球TACE (DEB-TACE)可提升化疗药物局部浓度与缓释能力[71],减少全身毒性及栓塞后侧支循环形成,优于传统TACE [72];2、实施多靶点联合阻断,DEB-TACE联合仑伐替尼 + 卡瑞利珠单抗、TACE联合阿帕替尼 + 卡瑞利珠单抗等三联方案,通过协同抑制血管生成与增强免疫应答,较双联方案更能减少单一路径耐药[73],改善生存获益。

联合治疗耐药涉及多通路逃逸与免疫微环境抑制,新型技术应用与多模式联合有望突破耐药瓶颈,未来需进一步深入探索耐药相关分子机制,持续优化联合治疗方案。

4.2. “最佳组合”的探索

根据现有研究证据,针对uHCC的个体化治疗组合选择,需综合以下关键因素进行分析:基于肿瘤负荷和生物学特性的局部治疗选择:TACE仍是中期HCC的标准治疗,但单独使用疗效有限[74]。对于3~8 cm的肿瘤,SBRT在局部控制率上可能优于TACE [75]。药物洗脱微球TACE (DEB-TACE)对合并肝硬化的晚期患者仍可安全应用[72]。HAIC在巨块型HCC中显示出优于TACE的生存获益(特别是FOLFOX方案),且与靶免治疗联合时对晚期HCC的客观缓解率显著提高[76]。SBRT的对门静脉癌栓(PVTT)患者有着特殊优势,SBRT联合卡瑞利珠单抗 + 阿帕替尼可提高疗效[56]。既往接受过TARE的患者,序贯SBRT的安全性优于TACE [77]。基于分子特性与耐受性的系统治疗组合:TACE联合阿帕替尼及卡瑞利珠单抗的组合比TACE联合阿帕替尼显示出额外生存获益[78];TACE联合阿替利珠单抗及贝伐珠单抗在uHCC中疗效优于单纯靶免治疗[79]。对高表达VEGFR2的患者,阿帕替尼是优选靶向药,但需注意其耐受性[80]。失代偿期肝硬化患者应慎用抗血管生成靶向药,DEB-TACE联合PD-1抑制剂可能是更安全的选择[72];Child-Pugh B/C级患者更适合HAIC联合免疫治疗而非TACE联合免疫治疗方案[81]

当前证据支持以“局部治疗控制病灶 + 系统治疗抑制微转移”的联合策略,但需根据肝功能Child-Pugh分级、肿瘤负荷(BCLC分期)、分子标记物(如VEGFR2表达)和药物耐受性进行动态调整[82]。未来需更多生物标志物指导的精准治疗研究。

4.3. 安全性管理

在局部治疗联合靶免方案的治疗中,毒副作用的叠加效应需要系统化的预测、监测和管理策略:

4.3.1. 预测与风险评估

治疗前需全面评估患者基础疾病(如肝硬化程度、既往肝炎史)及免疫状态[83]。例如,HBV相关肝癌患者需监测病毒载量,预防免疫治疗诱发的肝炎爆发[84]。此外,联合方案间存在多种药物的相互作用,如DEB-TACE联合仑伐替尼 + 卡瑞丽珠单抗可能诱发皮肤毛细血管增生[73],如阿帕替尼与高血压相关或PD-1抑制剂与免疫性肺炎相关[85]

4.3.2. 动态监测

肝炎管理需定期监测肝功能和肝炎标志物。免疫相关肝炎多发生于治疗初期,需与病毒性肝炎鉴别[86]。卡瑞丽珠单抗可能引发迟发性肺炎,需通过CT和症状(咳嗽、呼吸困难)监测,尤其对免疫相关的耐药性肺炎需调整免疫抑制剂[87]。此外,对于靶向药物(如阿帕替尼、仑伐替尼)相关高血压发生率达8%~11%,需定期血压监测或降压治疗[88]

4.3.3. 全程管理策略

根据毒性等级(CTCAE标准)调整用药。如阿帕替尼不耐受时可换用仑伐替尼,或免疫性肝炎 ≥ 3级时暂停免疫治疗[89]。肝病科、肿瘤科和心血管团队协作处理复杂毒性。应当培训患者自我监测能力及时报告症状[90]

联合治疗的毒性管理需个体化,结合患者基线指标、动态监测和快速干预。临床试验数据和真实世界经验均提示,多数毒性可控,但需警惕叠加效应导致的罕见重症事件。未来需进一步优化预测模型和管理流程。

4.4. 治疗顺序与时机

局部治疗与靶向免疫联合治疗的顺序和时机是当前研究的热点,当前证据支持局部与系统治疗的联合或序贯应用,但最佳顺序(如局部治疗后序贯免疫靶向治疗vs.同步联合治疗)仍未达成统一共识。

局部治疗优先序贯系统治疗:对于中晚期HCC,局部治疗后行序贯靶向免疫治疗可延长生存期。Sun等人[91]展开了一项评估FOLFOX-HAIC联合靶免治疗在序贯和同步治疗疗效的队列研究,结果显示:序贯治疗的mPFS为11.6个月,同步治疗组为19.37个月;序贯治疗组的mOS为27.33个月,同步治疗组在数据截止时未达到mOS;序贯治疗组的6个月、12个月、18个月和24个月无进展生存率分别为83.3%、40.0%、16.7%和3.3%,同步治疗组分别为53.4%、37.0%、13.7%和2.7%;序贯治疗组与同步治疗组在3/4级不良事件发生率分别为46.7%和61.6%;该研究认为FOLFOX-HAIC配合序贯系统治疗和同步治疗相比具有相似的长期预后和更好的耐受性,但是需要样本量更大、随访时间更长的前瞻性研究验证该结论。

局部治疗与靶向免疫治疗同步联合的潜力:局部治疗(如TACE或放疗)与免疫治疗的同步应用可能通过释放肿瘤抗原增强免疫应答。此外由于不同患者肝癌分期、肝功能水平等存在差异,治疗时机也存在差异。中期HCC患者需平衡局部治疗与系统治疗的时机以保护肝功能[92],而晚期HCC更倾向于系统治疗为主,局部治疗用于缓解症状或联合增效[93]。目前需更多III期试验验证各类联合治疗给患者带来的生存获益,同时还需结合个体化策略,以优化治疗时机。

此外,系统治疗在中晚期HCC的疗效日益显著,在接受系统治疗后肿瘤负荷、分级下降,可进一步接受局部治疗巩固或处理难治性病灶。因此,对于对全身治疗有反应的患者,重新评估是否进行局部治疗是一个重要策略。日本一项关于中晚期uHCC患者治疗的回顾性研究[94]对预先使用仑伐替尼的TACE治疗方案与TACE作为初始治疗方案进行比较,结果显示接受仑伐替尼治疗的患者具有更长的总生存期和更低的肝功能恶化发生率。除仑伐替尼外,其他高应答率全身治疗方案(如阿替利珠单抗–贝伐珠单抗联合方案)联合局部治疗的研究(NCT04224636)也正在进行中,以上研究为肿瘤新辅助治疗提供新思路,新辅助治疗不再局限于外科手术切除,系统治疗也可为局部治疗创造条件从而更好控制肿瘤进展。

5. 总结与展望

uHCC的治疗方式正在经历深刻转变,局部治疗与免疫检查点抑制剂和分子靶向药物的联合疗法是转变的核心,该治疗模式已成为从晚期姑息走向中期降期、甚至根治性转化的重要策略。

为最大化联合治疗的临床获益,未来研究可有如下方向:1、优化策略,通过前瞻性临床试验明确不同治疗模式的最佳序列与时机。2、治疗精准化,将患者自我报告结局(PROs)和生活质量纳入核心评估体系,利用生物标志物(如ctDNA,免疫微环境分型等)精准识别不同联合方案的优势人群,以实现真正的个体化治疗。3、新技术的融合,探寻新的局部治疗(如钇-90 SIRT、纳米刀)与双特异性抗体(PD-L1、CTLA-4抗体)、细胞治疗(CAR-T, CAR-NK)等下一代系统治疗的联合。4、终点革新,在追求肿瘤学结局(如客观缓解率、无进展生存期、总生存期)的同时,纳入其他观测终点,如转化治疗的病理完全缓解率、手术转化率等。

随着HCC肿瘤生物学,特别是肿瘤与免疫系统相互作用机制的深入理解,以及真实世界数据与随机对照试验证据的不断积累,局部联合靶向免疫治疗这一策略的应用前景极为广阔。

NOTES

*通讯作者。

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