Sequential Use of Systemic Therapy With Locoregional Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Japan: Analyses of Real-World Data Based on a Health Claims Database
Japanese hospitals underuse proven combinations of drugs plus procedures for liver cancer despite strong evidence, revealing a practice-guideline gap.
This large real-world analysis of 15,285 Japanese HCC patients reveals that systemic therapy combinations with locoregional treatment remained substantially underutilized in Japan through 2022, with <13% receiving pre-LRT systemic agents despite emerging trial evidence. The data highlights a gap between trial findings and clinical practice, identifying an unmet need for standardized combination protocols in a high-incidence HCC country.
What the study was
- Study design
- Retrospective real-world database analysis (Medical Data Vision, Japan, 2020-2022)
- Population
- HCC patients with first LRT record in Japan (hepatectomy, TACE, RT, ablation, HAIC); n=15,285
- Sample size
- 15285
- Category
- Treatment Innovation
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- Cancer Medicine
Why it surfaced
Large real-world study (n=15,285) identifying practice gaps in HCC management in Japan. Contextualizes evolving LRT+systemic combination landscape. AstraZeneca-funded study — minor COI consideration.
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