| Experience and Expectation for Molecular Target Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
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Do Young Kim |
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Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea |
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Copyright ©2016 by The Korean Liver Cancer Association |
| Abstract |
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Sorafenib, the first-approved molecular targeted agent (MTA), is actively used in patients with
advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Accumulating experiences suggest
that the efficacy of this drug is modest and the adverse events are not minimal, although
those are manageable. Given that newer drugs targeting various molecules involved in
hepatocarcinogenesis have been failed to show efficacy compared with sorafenib, the
perspectives regarding development of novel MTA appear to be gloomy. Nonetherless, it is
necessary to maximize the efficacy of sorafenib by combining this drug with locoregional
therapies and by finding biomarkers predicting the outcomes of patients treated with
sorafenib. A series of data indicate that combining sorafenib and locoregional therapies
including transarterial chemoemolization could improve patients outcome. Unfortunately,
there has been no biomarkers identified which could predict the response to sorafenib. Global
investigation of therapeutic decisions in HCC and of its treatment with sorafeNib (GIDEON)
is a global, non-interventional, observational study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
sorafenib, particularly in patients with Child-Pugh B. The final report of GIDEON study is going
to be published soon, and the Korean GIDEON data suggest that sorafenib in patients with
decreased liver function might be safe and effective as in patients with Child-Pugh A. The way
to conquer HCC using molecular approach is still long and the era of immune-oncology seems
to get started. (Journal of Liver Cancer 2016;16:12-16) |
| Key Words:
Hepatocellular carcinoma; Sorafenib |
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