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Clinical trials of antiangiogenic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

  • Invited Review Article
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Abstract

Angiogenesis is a promising therapeutic target to inhibit tumor growth. This review summarizes data from clinical trials of antiangiogenic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma. A systematic search of PubMed was performed to identify clinical trials of specific antiangiogenic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, particularly phase III trials involving treatment guidelines for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib is the only systemic drug approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Two large-scale, randomized phase III trials using sorafenib involving patients with unresectable HCC showed a significant survival benefit compared with placebo control groups. However, subsequent phase III trials of antiangiogenic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma have failed to improve survival compared with standard treatment protocols using sorafenib. The efficacy of antiangiogenic agents in combination with other drugs, transarterial chemoembolization, and surgical resection is currently being investigated. Future research is expected to optimize antiangiogenic therapies in combination with standard treatment with sorafenib.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Dr. Yokoo for his help with the preparation of the figure imagess.

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  1. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan

    Akinobu Taketomi

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  1. Akinobu Taketomi
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Correspondence to Akinobu Taketomi.

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Taketomi, A. Clinical trials of antiangiogenic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 21, 213–218 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-0966-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-0966-0

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