Chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in the sorafenib age.

ABSTRACT: The kinase inhibitor sorafenib is the only systemic therapy proven to have a positive effect on survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After development of sorafenib and its introduction as a therapeutic agent used in the clinic, several critical questions have been raised. Clinical parameters and biomarkers predicting sorafenib efficacy are the most important issues that need to be elucidated. Although it is difficult to know the responders in advance using conventional characteristics of patients, there are specific serum cytokines and/or gene amplification in tumor tissues that have been reported to predict efficacy of sorafenib. Risk and benefits of continuation of sorafenib beyond radiological progression is another issue to consider because no other standa

SUBMITTER: Miyahara K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3989951 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature