Ep. 59 Evolving Treatment Paradigms in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What's on the Horizon? with Dr. A Craig Lockhart and Dr. Lingling Du

With new systemic and liver-directed approaches under investigation, which targets and treatment strategies are most likely to shape HCC care? In this final episode of the BackTable 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™, Drs. Lingling Du, A. Craig Lockhart, and Jon Mizrahi focus on the future of hepatocellular carcinoma beyond established PD-1/CTLA-4 regimens. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction01:34 - Beyond PD-1 and CTLA-4: Anti-TIGIT plus Atezolizumab03:24 - Combination Strategies: Immunotherapy plus Radioembolization09:14 - SBRT in Oligometastatic Disease10:55 - Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in HCC12:07 - Targeted Therapies: ctDNA, CAR T-cells & GPC315:18 - Liver Transplant & Immunotherapy23:07 - Future Directions and Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode The clinicians discuss promising results from emerging immune checkpoint targets like anti-TIGIT and note ongoing interest in other targets like TIM-3. They emphasize combining systemic immunotherapy with liver-directed therapies like Y90 across heterogeneous patient groups and discuss potential neoadjuvant approaches for resectable cases, despite limited benefit seen in adjuvant studies. Additionally, they outline early-phase cellular and targeted strategies, such as GPC3-directed bispecifics and CAR T-cell therapies, noting tolerance challenges tied to liver function and the risks of using immunotherapy after liver transplant. --- Resources TIGIT plus atezolizumab phase II studyhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(24)00679-X/fulltext LEAP-002 Trialhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00469-2/abstract EMERALD-1 Trialhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02551-0/abstract --- BackTable Tumor Board is the go-to multidisciplinary podcast for medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and other healthcare professionals that play an active role in cancer care. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app