Targeted Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) to Optimize Outcomes

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. In 2007, the prevalence of the disease in the United States was approximately 28,000. Despite the relatively low incidence and prevalence of the disease, the rate of this malignancy has been rising over the past several decades. Patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, hepatitis B, heavy alcohol consumption, and other factors are at high risk for the development of HCC. Obesity-associated liver disease and diabetes are also risk factors. HCC is of particular concern in the veteran population, which may be due in part to the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis and liver disease in this group. Current treatment strategies involve resection, transplantation, ablations, embolization, and systemic therapy. Treatment selection is based on the number, size, and location of the tumors, performance status, intrahepatic vascular disease, and extrahepatic vascular disease.

The oral multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of HCC, and several new molecular targeted agents are under development. These include sunitinib, brivanib, and linifanib. This Expert Commentary will review how to integrate personalized targeted therapy into the treatment of patients with HCC, manage toxicities of anti-cancer agents used in HCC, learn and apply the different staging and scoring systems used in HCC, and how to develop a strategy to enhance the multi-disciplinary approach for the management of HCC.

Available until November 28, 2012.
Physicians: 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^™
Nurses: 1.0 contact hour

This activity is sponsored by Quintiles Medical Education, Inc.

This activity is co-provided by Global Education Group and Quintiles Medical Education, Inc.