Dissecting Signaling Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Perspectives in Medical Therapy

Abstract

Prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poor and is largely influenced by associated liver comorbidities. Moreover, effective treatment alternatives are limited; with the exception of the multitargeted inhibitor sorafenib, established options in the treatment of advanced HCC no longer amenable with ablative or locoregional procedures are lacking. In light of the limited efficacy of chemotherapy in this setting, great efforts have been made in the definition of targetable molecular pathways with a central role in the progression of HCC. Targeting angiogenesis, growth factor receptors, intracellular transduction pathways, or mechanisms of gene-expression regulation represents the main way to improve patient outcome. At the same time, identifying clinical and biological factors, which may help selecting patients with higher chances of benefit, is essential in order to hasten drug development and maximize treatment efficacy.

Overexpression of SYF2 correlates with enhanced cell growth and poor prognosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Despite the improvement in HCC diagnosis and therapy, the rate of HCC mortality remains considerably unfavorable [19]. The development of HCC is associated with multiple molecular mechanisms, while the underlying mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated [20]. Thus, the identification of novel molecular markers related with the prognosis of HCC is a primary task in the field of HCC research.…”

Nanoformulations for Therapy of Pancreatic and Liver Cancers

“…This aggressive disease is a major global threat to public health, with an estimated 46,420 new cases matched with 39,590 deaths in 2014 in the USA [7]. The prognosis of patients with advanced HCC is quite poor, and effective treatment alternatives are limited [48]. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for locally advanced and/or recurrent hepatic tumors [49], and clearly alternative treatment strategies are needed, such as sorafenib which is a multitargeted inhibitor [48].…”

“…The prognosis of patients with advanced HCC is quite poor, and effective treatment alternatives are limited [48]. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for locally advanced and/or recurrent hepatic tumors [49], and clearly alternative treatment strategies are needed, such as sorafenib which is a multitargeted inhibitor [48]. A description of promising nanoformulations for the treatment of HCC is given below.…”

EASL HCC Summit: Liver Cancer Management

“…Sorafenib also represents the gold standard for comparison in clinical trials aimed at investigating new systemic therapies for HCC patients [17]. Phase III studies have compared the efficacy of sunitinib, brivanib, linifanib or erlotinib + sorafenib versus sorafenib alone.…”