Targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the world's fifth common malignant tumor, ranks as the second and sixth leading causes of cancer death in male and female. In a majority of the cases, HCC is diagnosed in advanced stage of disease when curative treatment options are not applicable. In 2007, sorafenib was approved for the first-line treatment of advanced HCC. Targeted therapy, which could improve the overall survival and qualities of life, brought a new hope for patients with advanced HCC. Unfortunately, in the past 10 years, various drugs tested in numerous different trials failed to demonstrate any benefit. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of two molecular targeted agents, the second-line agent regorafenib and the first-line agent lenvatinib. Furthermore, preliminary results of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 antibodies were quite encouraging. These new drugs brought dawn of targeted therapy of HCC. Key words: Hepatic neoplasms; Targeted therapy; Sorafenib; Regorafenib; Lenvatinib; Immunotherapy