| Theme |
Perspective for Chemotherapy in Gastrointestinal Malignancy Based on Current Evidence |
| Title |
Current Status and Future Perspectives of Chemotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| Author |
Junji Furuse |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Daisuke Naruke |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Akiyoshi Kasuga |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Junichi Nakazawa |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hiroshi Kitamura |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Atsuko Takasu |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Fumio Nagashima |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that primarily targets Raf kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases associated with angiogenesis (VEGFR-2/-3, PDGFR-β). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sorafenib versus placebo conducted in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrated the beneficial effects of the drug on time-to-progression and overall survival. Based on the results of those RCTs, sorafenib has been established as a standard agent for systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced HCC who are not suitable candidates for local treatments. The most common treatment-related adverse events of sorafenib were found to be diarrhea, fatigue, and skin toxicity, namely, hand-foot syndromes and rash. Following sorafenib, although various agents have been developed in advanced HCC, no agent demonstrated survival benefits in HCC patients. It is necessary to develop agents in relation to predictive biomarkers. |