Targeted and Immune-Based Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Gastroenterology. 2019 Jan;156(2):510-524. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.09.051. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Abstract

Treatment options for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are rapidly changing based on positive results from phase 3 trials of targeted and immune-based therapies. More agents designed to target specific pathways and immune checkpoints are in clinical development. Some agents have already been shown to improve outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, as first- and second-line therapies, and are awaiting approval by the Food and Drug Administration or have been recently approved. We summarize the targeted and immune-based agents in trials of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss the future of these strategies for liver cancer.

Keywords: Checkpoint Inhibitor; Human; Tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors