Hepatocellular carcinoma: insights in the biological treatment beyond sorafenib.

UNLABELLED

Hepatocellular carcinoma has an increasing incidence and an impressive mortality. At present, the only authorized systemic treatment is the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib. A multitude of clinical trials are aimed at improving outcomes, both in firstY- and in second-line therapy. In this multitude of clinical trials, the purpose of our article was to familiarize physicians with the mechanisms of action of new biological therapies and to offer an algorithm for optimal trial selection for each patient, based on clinical and biological indicators. The available data were structured as follows: antiangiogenic therapy, c -MET inhibitors, combinations of chemotherapy with sorafenib, immune response modulators, cellular metabolism modulators, mTOR inhibitors, other multi-kinase inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma remains a challenge for oncologists. Choosing the "right" trial may be the only chance of prolonging patient survival and improve his/her clinical status.