Case Report: Long-term disease-free survival in an advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patient: an exceptional response to PD-1 inhibitor therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages, often precluding surgical resection. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly PD-1 inhibitors, have emerged as promising therapies, though long-term disease-free survival (DFS) remains rare. We report a case of an advanced HCC patient who achieved complete remission (CR) after just four cycles of reduced-dose pembrolizumab and maintained a disease-free status for more than seven years.

Case report

A 55-year-old male with chronic hepatitis B and alcohol-related liver disease presented with a ruptured HCC. After initial treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, the patient was started on reduced-dose pembrolizumab (100 mg).

SUBMITTER: Fang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12643963 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature