Phase IIa Trial of Locoregional High-Dose Autologous Natural Killer Cell Therapy Combined with Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

PurposeHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to locoregional therapies remains a major clinical challenge.This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of locoregional high-dose autologous natural killer (NK) cell therapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with locally advanced HCC. Materials and MethodsThis open-label, multicenter, phase IIa study enrolled patients with locally advanced HCC refractory to standard care.Patients achieving stable disease (SD) or better after two HAIC cycles (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) underwent two additional HAIC cycles followed by hepatic arterial NK cell infusion for up to two cycles.The primary endpoint was independent review committee (IRC)-assessed objective response rate (ORR).Secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed ORR, disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DOR), time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), safety, and immunologic response.Tumor response was assessed per modified RECIST for HCC. ResultsOf 17 enrolled patients, 16 were evaluable.IRC-assessed ORR was 68.75% (exact 95% confidence interval, 41.34-88.98)[complete response (CR): 18.75%; partial response (PR): 50.00%], and investigator-assessed ORR was 62.50%.Both assessments yielded a DCR of 100%.Median DOR was 12.65 and 10.48 months by IRC and investigator assessment, respectively.Median investigator-assessed TTP was 16.82 months; IRC-assessed TTP was not reached.Median OS was 24.05 months.No severe NK cell-related toxicities were observed. ConclusionLocoregional high-dose autologous NK cell therapy following HAIC showed promising

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cancer Research and Treatment, 2026 · DOI ↗