Biomarker-Driven and Molecular Targeted Therapies for Hepatobiliary Cancers

Semin Oncol. 2018 Jun;45(3):116-123. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2018.03.002. Epub 2018 Mar 16.

Abstract

The recent accumulation of molecular profiling data for primary hepatobiliary malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary tract cancers, has led to a proliferation of promising therapeutic investigations in recent years. Treatment with pathway-specific targeted inhibitors and immunotherapeutic agents have demonstrated promising early clinical results. Key molecular alterations in common hepatobiliary cancers and ongoing interventional clinical trials of molecularly targeted systemic agents focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary tract cancer are reviewed.

Keywords: HCC; ICC; biliary tract cancer; cholangiocarcinoma; clinical trials; hepatobiliary; hepatocellular carcinoma; immuno-oncology; immunotherapy; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; liver cancer; molecular therapy; systemic therapy; targeted therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biliary Tract Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Biliary Tract Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor