Hepatocellular Carcinoma Pseudoprogression Involving the Main Portal Vein, Right Ventricular Invasion, and Exacerbation of Lung Metastases in a Patient on Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab

Intern Med. 2023 Feb 15;62(4):539-543. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9701-22. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Abstract

A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein invasion and lung metastases, for which atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATZ/BEV) was initiated. After two months, computed tomography revealed tumor growth accompanied by ascites, right ventricular invasion, exacerbation of the lung metastases, and main portal vein invasion. However, continuation of ATZ/BEV caused remarkable size reductions in all lesions, finally resulting in the disappearance of the vascular invasion and lung metastases after nine cycles of treatment. The tumor growth was considered to reflect pseudoprogression, which is difficult to distinguish from hyperprogression. We herein report a remarkable HCC case of pseudoprogression on ATZ/BEV.

Keywords: atezolizumab plus bevacizumab; case report; hepatocellular carcinoma; pseudoprogression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Portal Vein

Substances

  • atezolizumab
  • Bevacizumab