Adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: current situation and prospect

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and increasing global cancer, posing significant treatment challenges.
• Most patients present with advanced disease, precluding curative surgical options like resection or transplantation.
• High rates of tumor recurrence and resistance to standard therapies contribute to poor prognoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of adjuvant therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
• To discuss the emerging novel therapeutic agents and their prospects in HCC treatment.
• To highlight challenges and advancements in managing advanced HCC.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) treatments.
• Analysis of emerging adjuvant therapies including small molecular agents, monoclonal antibodies, microRNA, and traditional Chinese medicine.
• Examination of clinical trial data and FDA-approved treatments for advanced HCC.

Main Results:

• Sorafenib, a targeted agent, demonstrates efficacy in prolonging survival for advanced HCC and is FDA-approved.
• Various adjuvant therapies, including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and Chinese herbal medicine, are under active clinical development.
• Despite advancements, HCC recurrence remains a major obstacle, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

• Adjuvant therapies represent a critical frontier in improving outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) patients.
• Continued research into novel agents is essential to overcome treatment resistance and reduce recurrence.
• The integration of diverse therapeutic modalities holds promise for enhancing HCC management and patient survival.