CheckMate 9DW — Nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus lenvatinib or sorafenib in first-line advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Phase 3 · Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Cancer

Population

Previously untreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary Endpoint

Overall survival

Rationale

Dual checkpoint blockade produced durable responses in later-line HCC, but its survival benefit against modern tyrosine-kinase inhibitors in the first line was unproven. CheckMate 9DW compares nivolumab plus ipilimumab head-to-head with lenvatinib or sorafenib.

What It Could Change

A positive result positions dual immunotherapy alongside atezolizumab–bevacizumab as a first-line standard for advanced liver cancer.