Dissecting signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma: new perspectives in medical therapy

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Cancer Molecular Biology

Background:

• Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a poor prognosis, significantly impacted by liver comorbidities.
• Effective therapeutic strategies for advanced HCC, beyond sorafenib, are scarce for patients ineligible for locoregional treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore novel molecular targets and pathways implicated in HCC progression.
• To identify predictive biomarkers for patient selection to enhance treatment efficacy and accelerate drug development.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on molecular pathways in HCC.
• Analysis of targeted therapies and their mechanisms of action.
• Discussion of clinical and biological factors for patient stratification.

Main Results:

• Targeting angiogenesis, growth factor receptors, intracellular signaling, and gene regulation are key strategies.
• Limited efficacy of traditional chemotherapy necessitates innovative approaches.

Conclusions:

• Developing targeted therapies focused on specific molecular pathways is crucial for improving advanced HCC outcomes.
• Identifying patient subgroups likely to respond to treatment is essential for maximizing therapeutic benefit and advancing drug discovery.