title: Critical appraisal of the role of sorafenib in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Sorafenib is an oral multiple kinase inhibitor that blocks Raf, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. It has been approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib has demonstrated a 44% increase in survival for advanced HCC patients, compared with best supportive care alone. We have reviewed the pharmacology, pivotal studies, and safety data for this agent. Sorafenib is the first systemic drug demonstrating a significant survival benefit, and is the standard of care for patients with advanced HCC for whom no potential curative option is available.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jen-Jung
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Milind
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javle
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mie Mie
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Thinn
authors.affiliation: Dental Department, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Tzu
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Chung-Tsen
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hsueh
keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma; multiple kinase inhibitor; sorafenib