JAKaL: Phase Ib study of itacitinib, a selective JAK1 inhibitor, for the management of advanced stage hepatocellular cancer after failure of first line therapy.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops on background chronic liver disease where exposure to uncontrolled inflammation drives hepatocarcinogenesis. Current first-line therapies have limited response, and most patients will eventually progress. There are no agents that specifically target the underlying liver inflammation. We investigated the safety and efficacy of itacitinib, a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, as a potential second- or third-line therapy in patients with advanced HCC. Biomarkers of response were investigated. Methods: Participants with advanced stage HCC, Child Pugh