Table 1 Patient demographics, baseline characteristics and previous treatment
Characteristics | pembrolizumab (n = 19) | placebo (n = 7) |
|---|---|---|
Age (years) | 51 (49–56.5) | 61 (38–62) |
 ≥ 65 years | 2 (10.5%) | 1 (14.3%) |
Gender | ||
 Male | 12 (63.2%) | 6 (85.7%) |
 Female | 7 (36.8%) | 1 (14.3%) |
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status | ||
 0 | 18 (94.7%) | 7 (100%) |
 1 | 1 (5.3%) | 0 |
Extrahepatic metastases | 14 (73.7%) | 6 (85.7%) |
 α-fetoprotein | ||
  ≥ 400 µg/l | 11 (57.9%) | 3 (42.9%) |
  < 400 µg/l | 8 (42.1%) | 4 (57.1%) |
Previous systemic therapy | ||
 Sorafenib | 18 (94.7%) | 6 (85.7%) |
 Chemotherapy | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (14.3%) |
Child–Pugh score | ||
 5–6 | 19 (100%) | 6 (85.7%) |
 7–9 | 0 | 1 (14.3%) |
Hepatitis B virus status | ||
 Positive | 15 (78.9%) | 7 (100%) |
 Negative | 4 (21.1%) | 0 |
Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer Stage | ||
 B | 4 (21.1%) | 1 (14.3%) |
 C | 15 (78.9%) | 6 (85.7%) |