Targeted Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What`s New?

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide, 
causes more than 700,000 deaths per year, and is the third cause of cancer-related mortality.1-3
HCC occurs after years of damage to hepatocytes with inflammatory conditions due to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection resulting in chronic hepatitis and/
or cirrhosis. The disease incidence is decreasing due to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccination, 
whereas rates are steadily increasing in Europe and United States possibly due to increased 
obesity and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.3The latest antiviral drug, Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi, 
Gilead), has achieved notable success in clinical trials and approved against HCV and gives 
great hopes for treatment and hopefully preventing HCV induced liver cancer. Unfortunately, 
other risk factors like alcohol abuse, fungal toxins, obesity, and poor diet are also associated 
with HCC and will not be easily wiped out anytime soon.