Consensus on standardized later-line systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Oncology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Systemic Therapy

Background:

• Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment faces challenges after first-line therapy failure.
• Heterogeneity in drug access and treatment patterns necessitates standardized later-line strategies.
• Current clinical practice requires evidence-based consensus for managing treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a standardized consensus for later-line systemic therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To provide practice-oriented clinical guidance for managing treatment failure after targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, or combination regimens.
• To improve long-term survival and quality of life for patients with advanced HCC through evidence-based, individualized decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Multidisciplinary expert consensus development.
• Review of best available evidence on systemic therapy for HCC.
• Integration of regional real-world experience and international guidelines.

Main Results:

• Unified evaluation criteria for disease progression and resistance.
• Stratified treatment recommendations for later-line HCC therapy.
• Emphasis on balancing treatment efficacy with patient safety.

Conclusions:

• Standardized later-line decision-making is crucial for advanced HCC management.
• Evidence-based, individualized strategies can optimize outcomes.
• This consensus offers practical guidance to enhance patient survival and quality of life.