Systemic treatment of liver cancer: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Primary liver cancer, a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract, ranks fifth in global cancer incidence and shows high morbidity and mortality. Liver cancer patients who are diagnosed early have the option of surgical resection, which offers the possibility of a radical cure. However, due to the insidious disease onset, most patients are diagnosed in the intermediate or advanced stages, and surgery is no longer a viable option. Therefore, systemic treatment options play an essential role in the management of advanced liver cancer. These treatments aim to suppress disease progression, prolong survival, and improve quality of life. This article reviews the latest research in the field of systemic therapy of liver cancer, including molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and their combination strategies. At first, the application and efficacy of first-line molecularly targeted drugs are discussed. Next, the revolutionary advances in immune checkpoint blockers are presented. Subsequently, the clinical effects of the combination of molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy are analyzed. Finally, this article summarizes the current challenges faced by the systemic treatment of liver cancer and introduces the prospect of future treatment trends.

Keywords: Primary liver cancer; Systemic therapy; Molecularly targeted drugs; Immunosuppressive therapy; Combination therapy

Core Tip: Primary liver cancer is a malignant tumor with the fifth highest incidence in the world, and hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer. Due to the insidious disease onset and rapid progression, most liver cancer patients are diagnosed in the intermediate or advanced stages, and surgery is no longer a viable option. This article summarizes the current challenges faced by the systemic treatment of liver cancer and introduces the prospect of future treatment trends.