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Disease

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Late-stage therapeutic developmentActively researchedCooling momentum
MeSHCarcinoma, Hepatocellular
79
Publications
20
Clinical trials
12
Related conditions
4
Related treatments
7
Related proteins
2026
Latest publication
Current focus
Antibodies biologyQ9nzq7 biologyTherapeutic developmentInflammation & immunityMetabolic & lifestyle factors
Latest activity
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Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.

A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Phase III Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Nofazinlimab (CS1003) in Combination With Lenvatinib Compared to Placebo in Combination With Lenvatinib as First-Line Therapy in Subjects With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Clinical trial2026-07-30Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Adults: A Review.

Research2026-01-01JAMA

Combination immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: synergies among immune checkpoints, TKIs, and chemotherapy.

Research2025-09-26Journal of hematology & oncology

Targeting tumor-associated macrophages to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Research2025-08-05Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR

Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways and therapeutic advances.

Research2025-02-07Signal transduction and targeted therapy

Natural History of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: From Metabolic Syndrome to Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Research2025-01-07Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

An Update of AI and Radiomics in Precision Oncology: Insights from Liver Tumors as Case Models.

Research2025-01-01Technology in cancer research & treatment

Interplay between gut microbiome, host genetic and epigenetic modifications in MASLD and MASLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Research2024-12-10Gut

Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment in patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Research2024-11-18BMC endocrine disorders

Interventional Oncology Meets Immuno-oncology: Combination Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Research2024-11-01Radiology

Epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Research2024-08-19Clinical and molecular hepatology

Approval: Sorafenib Accord (EMA)

Regulatory2022-11-09EMA

What's happening now

An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.

Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Moderate
Key developments
  • 2 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q2 2027.
  • Active recent publication activity, including 1 notable finding.
Upcoming Milestones
Research Highlights2View
Clinical Milestones7View
Results posted 3
Results expected 2
Recently completed 1
Other updates 1
Activity timeline9

Therapeutic landscape

Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.

Approved & established therapies
Tremelimumabapproved

Approval — Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of a… (2023)

Sorafenibapproved

Approval — Hepatocellular carcinomaSorafenib Accord is indicated for the treatment of hepatocellular… (2022)

Durvalumabapproved

Approval — Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy… (2018)

Atezolizumabapproved

Approval — Urothelial carcinoma Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adul… (2017)

Cabozantinibapproved

Accelerated approval — Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Cabometyx is indicated as monotherapy for advanced renal cell… (2016)

Dinutuximabapproved

Approval — Gastric cancer Cyramza in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of a… (2014)

Regorafenibapproved

Approval — Stivarga is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with: metastati… (2013)

Ipilimumabapproved

Approval — Melanoma Yervoy as monotherapy or combination with nivolumab is indicated for the treatme… (2011)

Research-associated treatments
Camrelizumab2Lenvatinib2

Clinical trials

13 sponsors · 1 new · 2 completed in the last 12 months (net +0)

The current development programme across all trial phases.

Clinical programme
20
All trials
6
Active
12
Late-stage
6
Completed
Late-stage studies

A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Study of Atezolizumab (Anti-PD-L1 Antibody) Plus Bevacizumab Versus Active Surveillance as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma at High Risk of Recurrence After Surgical Resection or Ablation

Phase 3 · Completed · Hoffmann-La Roche

A Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Versus TACE in Participants With Incurable/Non-metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LEAP-012)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Phase III Randomized Double-blind Study of Pembrolizumab Plus Best Supportive Care vs. Placebo Plus Best Supportive Care as Second-Line Therapy in Asian Subjects With Previously Systemically Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-394)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Lenvatinib in First-line Therapy of Participants With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LEAP-002)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Prospective, Multicenter, Post-marketing Phase IV Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib as First-line Treatment in Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Phase 4 · Completed · Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd

A Phase III, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Atezolizumab in Combination With Bevacizumab Compared With Sorafenib in Patients With Untreated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase 3 · Completed · Hoffmann-La Roche
Recruiting

A Value-Driven Study on Reducing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Dosing Frequency in Advanced Cancers: Phase 2 Randomized Trial (VALUE-CHECK)

Phase 2 · Recruiting · National University Hospital, Singapore

A PHASE 2, OPEN-LABEL STUDY OF IRPAGRATINIB IN COMBINATION WITH ATEZOLIZUMAB AND BEVACIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED OR UNRESECTABLE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (IAPETUS)

Phase 2 · Recruiting · Asan Medical Center

A Phase II Clinical Study to Evaluate HLX43 (Anti-PD-L1 ADC) in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Failed or Intolerance to Standard Therapy

Phase 2 · Recruiting · Shanghai Henlius Biotech

Tislelizumab Consolidation After Liver-Directed Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase 2 · Recruiting · Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

An Open-Label, Single Arm Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Adebrelimab Plus Apatinib as Adjuvant Therapy in Participants With Hepatocellular Carcinoma at High Risk of Recurrence After Surgical Resection

Phase 2 · Recruiting · Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

A Randomized, Double-blind, Multi-center, Phase II Study to Evaluate the Anti-tumor Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of HLX53 (an Anti-TIGIT Fc Fusion Protein) Combined with Serplulimab Injection (HLX10, a Recombinant Anti-PD-1 Antibody) and HLX04 (a Biosimilar to Bevacizumab) Compared to Placebo + Serplulimab + HLX04, in Untreated, Locally Advanced or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

Phase 2 · Recruiting · Shanghai Henlius Biotech
Recently completed

A Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Versus TACE in Participants With Incurable/Non-metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LEAP-012)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Prospective, Multicenter, Post-marketing Phase IV Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib as First-line Treatment in Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Phase 4 · Completed · Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd

A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Study of Atezolizumab (Anti-PD-L1 Antibody) Plus Bevacizumab Versus Active Surveillance as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma at High Risk of Recurrence After Surgical Resection or Ablation

Phase 3 · Completed · Hoffmann-La Roche

A Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Lenvatinib in First-line Therapy of Participants With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LEAP-002)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Phase III Randomized Double-blind Study of Pembrolizumab Plus Best Supportive Care vs. Placebo Plus Best Supportive Care as Second-Line Therapy in Asian Subjects With Previously Systemically Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-394)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

A Phase III, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Atezolizumab in Combination With Bevacizumab Compared With Sorafenib in Patients With Untreated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase 3 · Completed · Hoffmann-La Roche

Regulatory timeline

Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.

First approvals
2023emaApproval — Tremelimumab· Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imjudo in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. source ↗
2022emaApproval — Sorafenib· Hepatocellular carcinomaSorafenib Accord is indicated for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (see section 5.1). Renal cell carcinomaSorafenib Accord is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who have failed prior interferon-alpha or interleukin-2 based therapy or are considered unsuitable for such therapy. source ↗
2018emaApproval — Durvalumab· Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence and no EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced, unresectable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 on ≥ 1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum based chemoradiation therapy (see section 5.1).Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Imfinzi in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).  Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Endometrial Cancer Imfinzi in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for systemic therapy, followed by maintenance treatment with: - Imfinzi as monotherapy in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) - Imfinzi in combination with olaparib in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy adjuvant treatment after radical cystectomy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Gastric or Gastro-oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC) Imfinzi in combination with FLOT chemotherapy as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment, followed by adjuvant Imfinzi monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable gastric or gastro‑oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. source ↗
2017emaApproval — Atezolizumab· Urothelial carcinoma Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC): after prior platinum containing chemotherapy, or who are considered cisplatin ineligible, and whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 5% (see section 5.1). Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated as adjuvant treatment following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with NSCLC with a high risk of recurrence whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥ 50% of tumour cells (TC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Advanced NSCLC  Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated only after failure of appropriate targeted therapies (see section 5.1).Tecentriq, in combination with nab paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 50% tumour cells (TC) or ≥ 10% tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC who are ineligible for platinum-based therapy (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving Tecentriq (see section 5.1).Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)Tecentriq, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) (see section 5.1). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)Tecentriq in combination with nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.Hepatocellular carcinomaTecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have not received prior systemic therapy (see section 5.1). Urothelial carcinoma (UC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC: after prior platinum containing chemotherapy, or who are considered cisplatin ineligible, and whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 5% (see section 5.1). Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated as adjuvant treatment following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with NSCLC with a high risk of recurrence whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥ 50% of tumour cells (TC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Advanced NSCLC  Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. In patients with EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated only after failure of appropriate targeted therapies (see section 5.1).Tecentriq, in combination with nab paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 50% TC or ≥ 10% tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC who are ineligible for platinum-based therapy (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving Tecentriq (see section 5.1).Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Tecentriq, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) (see section 5.1). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)Tecentriq in combination with nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable HCC who have not received prior systemic therapy (see section 5.1). source ↗
2016emaAccelerated approval — Cabozantinib· Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Cabometyx is indicated as monotherapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma as first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk, in adults following prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. Cabometyx, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Cabometyx is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in adults who have previously been treated with sorafenib.Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)Cabometyx is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), refractory or not eligible to radioactive iodine (RAI) who have progressed during or after prior systemic therapy.Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET)Cabometyx is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic, well differentiated extra-pancreatic (epNET) and pancreatic (pNET) neuroendocrine tumours who have progressed following at least one prior systemic therapy other than somatostatin analogues. source ↗
2014emaApproval — Dinutuximab· Gastric cancer Cyramza in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum or fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, for whom treatment in combination with paclitaxel is not appropriate. Colorectal cancer Cyramza, in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5?fluorouracil), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine. Non-small cell lung cancer Cyramza in combination with docetaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. Hepatocellular carcinoma Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have a serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) of ? 400 ng/ml and who have been previously treated with sorafenib. source ↗
2013emaApproval — Regorafenib· Stivarga is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with: metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) who have been previously treated with, or are not considered candidates for, available therapies - these include fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF therapy and an anti-EGFR therapy; unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) who progressed on or are intolerant to prior treatment with imatinib and sunitinib; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. source ↗
2011emaApproval — Ipilimumab· Melanoma Yervoy as monotherapy or combination with nivolumab is indicated for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older (see section 4.4).  Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults. Relative to nivolumab monotherapy, an increase in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the combination of nivolumab with ipilimumab is established only in patients with low tumour PD-L1 expression (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate/poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (see section 5.1). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab and 2 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in adults whose tumours have no sensitising EGFR mutation or ALK translocation. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient or microsatellite instability high colorectal cancer in the following settings: first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer; treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer after prior fluoropyrimidine based combination chemotherapy (see section 5.1). Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma with tumour cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Yervoy in combination with nivolumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. source ↗

European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.

Research activity

79 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20102026
Most influential

Sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

The New England journal of medicine · 2008 · 10,144 cites

Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The New England journal of medicine · 2020 · 5,580 cites

Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2021 · 4,865 cites

Diagnosis, Staging, and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2018 Practice Guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) · 2018 · 3,419 cites

AASLD guidelines for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) · 2018 · 3,085 cites

Regorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed on sorafenib treatment (RESORCE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Lancet (London, England) · 2017 · 2,767 cites
Recent publications

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Adults: A Review.

JAMA · 2026 · 6 cites

Epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Clinical and molecular hepatology · 2025 · 305 cites

Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways and therapeutic advances.

Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 2025 · 142 cites

Targeting tumor-associated macrophages to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · 2025 · 11 cites

Combination immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: synergies among immune checkpoints, TKIs, and chemotherapy.

Journal of hematology & oncology · 2025 · 11 cites

Targeted delivery of CCL3 reprograms macrophage antigen presentation and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2025 · 7 cites
Major themes8
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular47
  • Liver Neoplasms47
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome8
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors8
  • Immunotherapy5
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease4
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 23
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm3
Leading journals6
  • Frontiers in immunology6
  • Journal of hematology & oncology6
  • Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)5
  • International journal of molecular sciences4
  • Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR4
  • Gastroenterology3
Leading researchers8
  • Llovet JM7
  • Zhang Y6
  • Finn RS5
  • Kudo M5
  • Li Y5
  • Zhang J5
  • Zhu AX5
  • Chen X4
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
  • Tisch Cancer Institute5
  • Humanitas University4
  • Kindai University Faculty of Medicine4
  • The First Affiliated Hospital4
  • Mayo Clinic3
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center3

Disease biology

7 matches

Key proteins & gene products studied in this disease. Number shows shared papers.

Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor7Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized6Q9NZQ73Bevacizumab2Cytokines2Fibroblast Growth Factors2Receptor, trkB2

Related conditions

12 matches

Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.

Liver Neoplasms78Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease6Diabetes Mellitus, Type 25Liver Cirrhosis5Neoplasm Recurrence, Local4Carcinogenesis3Cholangiocarcinoma3Dysbiosis3Fatty Liver3Neoplasm Metastasis3Inflammation2Insulin Resistance2

Disease profile

A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.

Overview

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary malignant tumor arising from epithelial liver cells and is the most common form of liver cancer. It can range from well-differentiated tumors that resemble normal hepatocytes to poorly differentiated neoplasms with pleomorphic or giant cells.

Causes

The main established causes are infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus is also described as an increasingly frequent cause in Western populations.

Pathophysiology

The disease is characterized by malignant transformation of hepatocytes and is influenced by the immune system, tumor microenvironment, signal transduction, gene expression regulation, and tumor escape. The literature also highlights genetic alterations such as TERT promoter mutations, VEGFA and FGF19/CNND1 amplifications, and TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations, as well as roles for microRNAs and drug resistance.

Risk factors

Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection are major risk factors. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus are also associated with increased risk.

Current standard of care

Systemic therapy for advanced disease has historically included antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib, regorafenib, and lenvatinib. More recent standard treatment includes immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors, particularly anti-PD-1/PD-L1 approaches, and combinations such as an anti-PD-L1 antibody with bevacizumab.

AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.

Reference

Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.

Defined in MeSH

A primary malignant neoplasm of epithelial liver cells. It ranges from a well-differentiated tumor with EPITHELIAL CELLS indistinguishable from normal HEPATOCYTES to a poorly differentiated neoplasm. The cells may be uniform or markedly pleomorphic, or form GIANT CELLS. Several classification schemes have been suggested.

Identifiers
MeSHCarcinoma, Hepatocellular
References & data sources
  • Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
  • Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
  • Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
  • Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.