REVIEW   

Minerva Chirurgica 2017 June;72(3):206-18

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4733.17.07311-4

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Innovative molecular targeted agents in hepatocellular carcinoma: new gladiators on the arena

Jose FERRI ¹, Yanina DOCKX ¹, Luisa VONGHIA ², Konstantinos PAPADIMITRIOU ¹, Marika RASSCHAERT ¹, Sven FRANCQUE ¹, Marc PEETERS ¹, Christian ROLFO ¹ ✉

¹ Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium; ² Department of Gastroenterology and Hepathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma remains a challenge, with discouraging results in terms of survival. Following the approval of the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, a large number of molecular targeted agents have been tested, but many have failed to demonstrate significant efficacy in clinical trials. However, the deeper knowledge in HCC pathogenesis achieved through the years has enabled us to explore new targetable pathways as well as biomarkers that could lead to treatment personalization. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update of the most recent data regarding new drugs under investigation ‒ some like regorafenib, very close to its approval ‒ and new possible targets for future treatments.

KEY WORDS: Hepatocellular carcinoma - Molecular targeted therapy - Biomarkers