Open AccessEvolution of systemic treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Wu TsungChe,
Shen YingChun,
Cheng AnnLii
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1002/kjm2.12401
Subject(s) - medicine , bevacizumab , systemic therapy , hepatocellular carcinoma , atezolizumab , targeted therapy , oncology , immunotherapy , combination therapy , chemotherapy , vascular endothelial growth factor , cancer , vegf receptors , nivolumab , breast cancer
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was considered an inherently refractory tumor in the chemotherapy era (1950–2000). However, systemic therapy has evolved to molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and nine treatment regimens have been approved worldwide during the past 20 years. The approved regimens target tumor angiogenesis or tumor immunity, the two cancer hallmarks. Recently, the combination of atezolizumab (antiprogrammed cell death ligand 1) and bevacizumab (anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor) has improved the efficacy of systemic therapy in treating advanced HCC without excessive toxicities or deterioration of quality of life. This review summarizes the major advances in systemic therapy and provides future perspectives on the next‐generation systemic therapy for advanced HCC.