The FDA granted a breakthrough therapy designation to Roche’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.

The approval covers first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic HCC.

The decision marks Roche’s third breakthrough therapy designation for Tecentriq. Another study investigating the combination of Tecentriq and Avastin versus sorafenib is currently under way.