open access
Novel systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a step-by-step review of current indications


- Department of Clinical Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Branch in Krakow, Krokow, Poland
open access
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the main cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The available treatment options for HCC include liver transplant, locoregional therapy (such as ablation, embolization, and radiotherapy), and systemic treatment. The latter encompasses targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and angiogenesis inhibitors, alone or in combination. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted drug therapy has been one of the most significant advances in HCC treatment. These therapies were shown to prolong overall survival and progression-free survival in clinical trials including patients with advanced HCC. In recent years, the systemic treatment of advanced HCC has vastly improved, with a median survival of 19.2 months in the IMbrave150 trial. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal sequence of treatment.
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the main cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The available treatment options for HCC include liver transplant, locoregional therapy (such as ablation, embolization, and radiotherapy), and systemic treatment. The latter encompasses targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and angiogenesis inhibitors, alone or in combination. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted drug therapy has been one of the most significant advances in HCC treatment. These therapies were shown to prolong overall survival and progression-free survival in clinical trials including patients with advanced HCC. In recent years, the systemic treatment of advanced HCC has vastly improved, with a median survival of 19.2 months in the IMbrave150 trial. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal sequence of treatment.
Keywords
hepatocellular carcinoma; targeted therapy; immunotherapy; systemic treatment


Title
Novel systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a step-by-step review of current indications
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Published online
2023-04-27
Page views
26
Article views/downloads
28
DOI
10.5603/NJO.a2023.0019
Keywords
hepatocellular carcinoma
targeted therapy
immunotherapy
systemic treatment
Authors
Joanna Lompart
Agata Sałek-Zań
Mirosława Püsküllüoğlu
Aleksandra Grela-Wojewoda


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