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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
12:24
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Systemic therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: are we making progress?
Patricia Roxburgh1, T R Jeffry Evans
1Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK.
Advances in Therapy
|October 31, 2008
Summary
Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is the first drug to significantly improve overall survival for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further research will explore its use with other therapies and after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- Surgical options are limited to a small percentage of patients, with modest survival rates.
- Existing treatments like chemotherapy and targeted agents have shown limited efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of sorafenib, a novel multikinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced HCC.
- To assess the impact of sorafenib on disease progression and overall survival compared to placebo.
Main Methods:
- A large, multicenter, randomized, phase 3 clinical trial was conducted.
- Patients with advanced HCC received either sorafenib or a placebo.
- Outcomes measured included time to disease progression and overall survival.
Main Results:
- Sorafenib demonstrated a significant improvement in both time to disease progression and overall survival.
- This marks the first agent to show a consistent survival benefit in advanced HCC.
- Sorafenib exhibits antiangiogenic, proapoptotic, and Raf kinase inhibitory activities.
Conclusions:
- Sorafenib represents a breakthrough in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Further investigation is needed for combination therapies and adjuvant use.
- The role of sorafenib in conjunction with locoregional therapies requires further study.
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