title: Clinical trials in hepatocellular carcinoma: an update.
abstract: The success of sorafenib has spurred an explosive increase of clinical trials testing novel molecular targets and other agents in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The paradigm of the studies has been characterized by three noticeable changes. First, the molecular targets of interest have expanded from angiogenesis to cancer cell-directed oncogenic signaling pathways for advanced HCC treatment. Agents targeting EGFR, FGFR, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, TGF-β, c-Met, MEK, IGF signaling, and histone deacetylase have been actively explored. Second, the target indication has shifted from advanced stage to early or intermediate stages of disease. The feasibility of combining locoregional therapies and targeted agents, and the use of novel agents after curative treatments are currently under active investigation. Finally, the therapeutic strategy has shifted from monotherapy to combination targeted therapy. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of newly disclosed and ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of HCC.
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Ying-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Zhong-Zhe
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Graduate Institute of Oncology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Graduate Institute of Oncology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Chiun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Graduate Institute of Oncology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Yu-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan (ROC) ; Graduate Institute of Oncology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (ROC).
authors.forename: Ann-Lii
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cheng
keywords: Clinical trial; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Molecular targeted therapy