Advances in drug development for hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical trials and potential therapeutic targets

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Cancers
• Pharmacology
• Drug Development

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge with limited treatment options.
• Recent years have seen substantial progress in HCC drug development, driven by research and clinical trials.
• Both traditional systemic therapies and novel immunotherapies for HCC have advanced.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HCC treatment.
• To highlight promising agents in clinical trials and identify new therapeutic targets for HCC.
• To discuss the development of HCC drugs in China and future directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of FDA-approved HCC agents.
• Analysis of ongoing clinical trials (Phase I-III) for HCC therapies.
• Examination of emerging targets and traditional Chinese medicine approaches in HCC treatment.

Main Results:

• Between 2017-2020, the FDA approved several drugs for HCC, including multikinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and combination therapies.
• Over 1000 clinical trials are underway, indicating active research in HCC drug development.
• Emerging targets and optimized traditional Chinese medicine offer new avenues for HCC therapy.

Conclusions:

• Significant advancements have been made in HCC drug therapy, with multiple new agents available and under investigation.
• The field of HCC drug development is dynamic, with ongoing research exploring novel targets and therapeutic strategies.
• Addressing challenges in HCC drug therapy and exploring future solutions are crucial for improving patient outcomes.