title: Predictive biomarkers of sorafenib efficacy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Are we getting there?
abstract: Sorafenib is the current standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is modest with low response rates and short response duration. Predictive biomarkers for sorafenib efficacy are necessary. However, efforts to determine biomarkers for sorafenib have led only to potential candidates rather than clinically useful predictors. Studies based on patient cohorts identified the potential of blood levels of angiopoietin-2, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-β1 for predicting sorafenib efficacy. Alpha-fetoprotein response, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and treatment-related side effects may serve as early surrogate markers. Novel approaches based on super-responders or experimental mouse models may provide new directions in biomarker research. These studies identified tumor amplification of FGF3/FGF4 or VEGFA and tumor expression of phospho-Mapk14 and phospho-Atf2 as possible predictive markers that await validation. A group effort that considers various prognostic factors and proper collection of tumor tissues before treatment is imperative for the success of future biomarker research in advanced HCC.
authors.affiliation: Yu-Yun Shao, Chih-Hung Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Yu-Yun Shao, Chih-Hung Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Yu-Yun Shao, Chih-Hung Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ann-Lii
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077157:Sorafenib; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib
keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Predictive marker; Prognosis; Sorafenib