The rapidly evolving landscape of HCC: Selecting the optimal systemic therapy

Zanuso, V., Rimassa, L. and Braconi, C. (2023) The rapidly evolving landscape of HCC: Selecting the optimal systemic therapy. Hepatology, (doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000572) (PMID:37695554) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Over the past years, there has been a remarkable advance in the systemic treatment options for advanced HCC. The overall survival has gradually increased over time, with larger benefits for patients with sensitive tumors and preserved liver function, the latter being an essential condition for the delivery of sequential lines of treatment and optimization of clinical outcomes. With the approval of new first-line agents and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies, the treatment landscape of advanced HCC is becoming wider than ever. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and, more recently, durvalumab plus tremelimumab have entered the clinical practice and are the current standard of care for treatment-naïve patients, surpassing sorafenib and lenvatinib monopoly. As no head-to-head comparisons are available among all the first-line treatment options, the recommendation for the most appropriate choice and sequence is patient-driven and integrates efficacy data with clinical comorbidities, background liver disease, and the safety profile of available drugs. In addition, predictive biomarkers for successful patients’ stratification are yet to be available and constitute the focus of ongoing research. The treatment algorithm is likely to become even more complex since systemic therapeutic approaches are now being translated into earlier stages of the disease, with an impact on the evolution of the sequential treatment of patients with HCC.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: VZ was supported by a Short Term Scientific Mission Grant from the Euro-Cholangio-Network COST-action 18122.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zanuso, Miss Valentina and Braconi, Professor Chiara

Creator Roles

Zanuso, V.: Conceptualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft
Braconi, C.: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Supervision

• Authors: Zanuso, V., Rimassa, L., and Braconi, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Hepatology
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• ISSN: 0270-9139
• ISSN (Online): 1527-3350
• Published Online: 11 September 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
• First Published: First published in Hepatology 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy