title: Innovative molecular targeted agents in hepatocellular carcinoma: new gladiators on the arena.
abstract: Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma remains a challenge, with discouraging results in terms of survival. Following the approval of the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, a large number of molecular targeted agents have been tested, but many have failed to demonstrate significant efficacy in clinical trials. However, the deeper knowledge in HCC pathogenesis achieved through the years has enabled us to explore new targetable pathways as well as biomarkers that could lead to treatment personalization. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update of the most recent data regarding new drugs under investigation ‒ some like regorafenib, very close to its approval ‒ and new possible targets for future treatments.
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yanina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dockx
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vonghia
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasschaert
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francque
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.affiliation: Phase I, Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium - christian.rolfo@uza.be.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rolfo
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D019365:Metaphor; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents