Molecular targeted therapy of HCC        YE Sheng-long. Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
Abstract    Molecular targeted therapy revealed an encouraging outcome in inoperable or metastatic HCC patients as an effective systemic therapy. The mechanism and clinical application of molecular targeted therapies in HCC were investigated worldwide. The international phase III randomised clinical trials demonstrated efficacy of sorafenib for the treatment of advanced HCC. Sorafenib was consequently approved for treatment of advanced HCC in Europe, USA and China, as well as in other countries and regions. Intensive studies were conducted to investigate further efficacy of sorafenib in combination with other treatments, including surgery, TACE and other molecular targeted therapies. Phase Ⅰ or Ⅱ clinical trials with other molecular targeted therapies were conducted, and resulted in preliminarily therapeutic effects in HCC patients. Some experimental studies of genetic therapeutic approaches to targeting HCC are under investigation.