Looking Toward the Future: Emerging Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the decreasing prevalence of hepatitis C, the burden of HCC is expected to rise owing to the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and increased global alcohol consumption. Guideline-concordant screening with ultrasound every 6 months has been associated with increased rates of early-stage detection and receipt of curative treatment. However, most patients with cirrhosis do not undergo screening, with HCC often diagnosed only at an advanced stage when curative resection or ablation is not feasible. Systemic medical therapy is indicated in patients diagnosed with infiltrative or advanced HCC, or when early-stage disease progresses or recurs after resection, transplant, or Other locoregional therapy. Sorafenib was approved as first-line therapy for HCC in 2007. Since 2017, there has been an exponential rate of approval of novel agents targeting HCC, including lenvatinib, regorafenib, and cabozantinib. Checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, nivolumab, ipilimumab, and combination therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and durvalumab plus tremelimumab, have expanded treatment options. This article describes treatment for all HCC stages, with a brief discussion of locoregional therapy for context, as some emerging treatment regimens combine locoregional and systemic therapies. The article highlights approved systemic therapies that are guideline-endorsed and emerging therapies for advanced HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma; chemotherapy; immunotherapy; liver cancer; systemic therapy.