Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
06:38

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis

Published on: September 12, 2019

Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: from discovery to clinical development

G Ranieri1, G Gadaleta-Caldarola, V Goffredo

  • 1Interventional Radiology Unit with Integrated Section of Translational Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre "Giovanni Paolo II" Bari, Bari, Italy. giroran@tiscalinet.it

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|January 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor targeting angiogenesis and cell proliferation, shows potent anti-tumor activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ongoing trials explore its combination with trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for improved HCC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development involves angiogenesis and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling.
  • Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor targeting RAF kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases like VEGFR and PDGFR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discovery, clinical development, and ongoing trials of sorafenib in HCC.
  • To summarize the role of sorafenib in targeting angiogenic and proliferative pathways in HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of medicinal chemistry, preclinical studies, and clinical trials of sorafenib.
  • Summary of sorafenib's mechanism of action against key signaling pathways in HCC.
  • Overview of combination therapy trials, specifically sorafenib with trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Main Results:

  • Sorafenib exhibits potent anti-tumor activity across in vitro, preclinical, and clinical settings.
  • The drug targets critical pathways including angiogenesis (VEGFR, PDGFR) and cell proliferation (RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK).
  • Clinical development has progressed, with ongoing investigations into combination therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Sorafenib is a significant therapeutic agent for HCC, targeting key oncogenic pathways.
  • Combination therapy, such as with TACE, represents a promising future direction for HCC treatment.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize sorafenib-based treatment strategies for HCC.

More Related Videos

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Clinical Trials: Overview01:11

Clinical Trials: Overview

Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...