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Recent advances and future challenges in the treatment of hepatocellular and biliary tract carcinomas

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Summary

The approval of sorafenib as the first effective drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a milestone in the treatment of this disease. Likewise, the combination of cisplatin and gemcitabine was adopted as a first-line standard chemotherapy option for the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancers based on the results from a large randomized study (ABC-02). This review will briefly summarize the rationale, status and future perspectives of innovative targeted approaches for the treatment of hepatocellular and biliary tract carcinomas. Data from ongoing trials will likely result in a further refinement of treatment recommendations over the course of the next few years.

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Correspondence to D. Koeberle.

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Koeberle, D., Samaras, P. Recent advances and future challenges in the treatment of hepatocellular and biliary tract carcinomas. memo 4, 94–97 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12254-011-0260-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12254-011-0260-9

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