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Drugs & Aging
Published in: Drugs & Aging 11/2013

01-11-2013 | Review Article

Targeted Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Cancer in the Elderly: Focus on Sorafenib

Authors: D. Germano, V. Tinessa, E. Barletta, L. Cannella, B. Daniele

Published in: Drugs & Aging | Issue 11/2013

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Worldwide progressive population aging demands consensus development for decision making when treating elderly patients. Age itself might not be a critical determinant for the selection of a therapeutic option. In the past few years, the mechanisms of hepato-carcinogenesis have been elucidated, and the involvement of a number of pathways, including angiogenesis, aberrant signal transduction, and dysregulated cell cycle control, have been demonstrated, leading to evaluation of the activity and toxicity of some of the new molecularly targeted agents. Sorafenib was demonstrated to significantly increase the survival of patients with advanced HCC in two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Subsequently, a number of retrospective or prospective studies have indicated that the effectiveness of sorafenib therapy in the treatment of HCC is similar in elderly and non-elderly patients. The aim of this review is to describe the impact of age on the effects of sorafenib-targeted therapy in patients with HCC, and the next treatment options with new targeted agents (everolimus, tivantinib, linifanib, etc.).
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Metadata
Title
Targeted Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Cancer in the Elderly: Focus on Sorafenib
Authors
D. Germano
V. Tinessa
E. Barletta
L. Cannella
B. Daniele
Publication date
01-11-2013
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Drugs & Aging / Issue 11/2013
Print ISSN: 1170-229X
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1969
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-013-0124-6

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