Molecular therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Br J Cancer. 2009 Jan 13;100(1):19-23. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604784. Epub 2008 Nov 18.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy has failed to show a substantial benefit for patients with HCC. Recently, a number of new drugs targeting molecular mechanisms involved in liver cell transformation have entered into clinical trials and led to encouraging results. In this review we summarise this data and point to a number of new compounds, which are currently being tested and can potentially broaden our therapeutic arsenal even further.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Benzenesulfonates / therapeutic use
  • Bevacizumab
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Sorafenib
  • Sunitinib
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Indoles
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrroles
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Niacinamide
  • Bevacizumab
  • Sorafenib
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Sunitinib