sintilimab + epirubicin

sintilimab + epirubicin is a combination therapy regimen being investigated by Zhejiang University for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The regimen consists of sintilimab, a recombinant humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor, and epirubicin, an anthracycline chemotherapy agent. Sintilimab works as a checkpoint inhibitor, blocking the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) to restore and enhance T-cell mediated anti-tumor immune responses. Epirubicin is delivered locally via drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), where it inhibits DNA topoisomerase II and intercalates into DNA to induce tumor cell death while simultaneously causing localized ischemia. This combination is specifically being evaluated in Phase II clinical trials as a preoperative (neoadjuvant) treatment for patients with BCLC Stage A/B HCC who fall beyond the Milan criteria, aiming to achieve tumor downstaging and improve surgical outcomes.

Other names

Sintilimab plus DEB-TACESintilimab plus epirubicinSintilimab Injection in combination with transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads