Systemic Therapy for the Treatment of the Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Systemic Therapy for the Treatment of the Hepatocellular Carcinoma The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the 3rd most common cancer-related cause of death worldwide. HCC occurs in more than 80% in patients with liver cirrhosis. Sorafenib is the first drug which has shown efficacy in patients with HCC. In this plecebo-controlled randomized trial, overall survival increased from 7.9 months in the placebo group to 10.7 months in the sorafenib group. Further studies are needed and on their way to evaluate the role of sorafenib in the adjuvant setting as well as in combination with transarterial chemoembolization. In addition, a number of molecular targeting drugs are being tested either in combination with sorafenib or alone.