HCC is the third most common cause of cancer related mortality, globally. Although early diagnosis is associated with better prognosis. Sorafenib, an orally administered, small molecule multikinase inhibitor, has proven efficacy in advanced HCC, by targeting cellular signaling pathways that orchestrate tumor angiogenesis and proliferation via Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor(VEGFR), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor β (PDGFR-β) and Raf -1. The impact of targeted therapy on the Quality of life of cancer patients is gaining importance as these molecules have markedly improved the Overall survival and Progression free survival.
Prospective observational study. 28 HCC patients enrolled in the study were treated with T. Sorafenib 400 mg Once Daily by the treating oncologist Patient reported QoL data was collected using Functional Assesment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT- G) Version 4 questionnaire (Maximum score: 108) further subdivided into 4 domains:
Variable N = 28 Mean Age (in years) 57.107 Gender Male Female 23 (82.15%) 5 (17.85%) Focality Multifocal Unifocal 28 (100%) 0 Hepatic Lobe Involvement Right Lobe Left lobe Both Lobe 15 (53.57%) 10 (35.71%) 3 (10.71%) Median AFP (ng/ml) 841.5 Viral Markers HBsAg HCV HIV NR 1 (3.57%) 2 (7.14%) 1 (3.57%) 24 (85.71%) Child Pughs Score B C 23 (82.14%) 5 (17.85%)
Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 18. Descriptive analysis of QoL data thus obtained for the total population is as follows: QoL Mean score: 73.29 ± 23.689 at baseline, 77.61± 21.339 at 3 months and 80.20 ± 24.669 at 6 months. Similarly for the 4 domains of FACT- G: PWB Mean score: 17.89 ± 6.082 at baseline, 19.36 ± 5.532 at 3 months and 20.08 ± 6.422 at 6 months SWB Mean score: 20.79 ± 3.542 at baseline, 21.18 ± 4.010 at 3 months, and 21.40 ± 5.050 at 6 months EWB Mean score: 17.36 ± 7.072 at baseline, 18.507 ± 5.885 at 3 months and 18.84± 6.555 at 6 months FWB Mean score: 17.25 ± 8.536 at baseline, 18.57 ± 7.451 at 3 months, and 19.88 ± 7.677 at 6 months. Mean Overall Survival was 9.563 ± 0.438 months.
Over a period of 6 months the quality of life has improved, with the functional well-being domain showing the most improvement in our scenario. Sorafenib as systemic therapy in advanced HCC has a favourable clinical profile without adversely affecting the quality life of the patient.
IEC No. 07/17/2016/MCT
Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram
Has not received any funding
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.