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Promising Novel Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Diagnostic and Prognostic Insights
James Yu1, Robin Park1, Richard Kim2
1Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
Abstract:
The systemic therapy landscape for hepatocellular carcinoma is rapidly evolving, as the recent approvals of checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens such as atezolizumab-bevacizumab and durvalumab-tremelimumab in advanced disease have led to an expanding therapeutic armamentarium. The development of biomarkers, however, has not kept up with the approvals of new agents. Nevertheless, biomarker research for hepatocellular carcinoma has recently been growing at a rapid pace. The most active areas of research are biomarkers for early detection and screening, accurate prognostication, and detection of minimal residual disease following curative intent therapies, and, perhaps most importantly, predictive markers to guide selection and sequencing of the individual agents, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy. In this review, we briefly summarize the recent developments in systemic therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma, introduce the key completed and ongoing prospective and retrospective studies evaluating diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers with high clinical relevance, highlight several potentially important areas of future research, and share our insights for each biomarker.
Insights
Biomarker research for hepatocellular carcinoma is accelerating, focusing on early detection, prognostication, and predicting treatment response to new therapies like immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Cancers
- Medical Oncology
- Translational Research
Background:
- The systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly advancing with new approvals for advanced disease.
- Checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens, including atezolizumab-bevacizumab and durvalumab-tremelimumab, have expanded treatment options.
- Biomarker development has lagged behind the approval of novel therapeutic agents in HCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in systemic therapies for HCC.
- To introduce key studies evaluating diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in HCC.
- To highlight future research directions in HCC biomarker discovery.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent developments in systemic therapeutics for HCC.
- Analysis of completed and ongoing prospective and retrospective studies on HCC biomarkers.
- Synthesis of insights on the clinical relevance and future potential of various biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Biomarker research in HCC is rapidly expanding, with key focus areas.
- Active research includes biomarkers for early detection, screening, and prognostication.
- Significant effort is directed towards predictive markers for guiding selection and sequencing of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of HCC systemic therapy necessitates parallel advancements in biomarker development.
- Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are crucial for personalized treatment strategies.
- Continued research into biomarkers is essential for optimizing patient outcomes in advanced HCC.
