Systemic therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma: An evolving landscape

Abstract

In the last few years, there has been a significant widening of the landscape of systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. After the landmark drug sorafenib, several other molecules have been approved for treatment in first-line (lenvatinib) and second-line (regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab) regimens. Very recently, another important step forward has been made with the demonstration that the combination of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 and an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (atezolizumab + bevacizumab) provides better survival results compared to sorafenib, thus becoming the new paradigm in first-line treatment of HCC. In consideration of this rapidly evolving situation, with the availability of many potential active drugs, the American Society of Clinical Oncology recently published a guideline in order to advise on the selection of systemic treatment options. However, also considering the uncertainties and the unmet needs in the current treatment of patients with advanced liver cancer is mandatory.