Real-world safety and effectiveness of lenvatinib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: post-marketing study

Aim: This post-marketing surveillance study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of lenvatinib as first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. Materials & methods: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other safety and effectiveness end points were assessed in patients who initiated lenvatinib according to the approved label in republic of Korea. Results: Among 658 lenvatinib-treated patients, ADRs were reported in 57.8%; ADRs grade >= 3 in 13.5%. The most common grade >= 3 ADRs were asthenia (1.2%) and hepatic encephalopathy (1.2%). Physician-reported tumor responses (n = 511) were complete (1.0%) or partial (12.9%) response and stable (45.2%) or progressive disease (40.9%); objective response rates were higher with longer lenvatinib treatment duration (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Lenvatinib was generally well tolerated and effective in real-world clinical practice in Korea.