Efficacy and Safety of Sorafenib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Aims: Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem with limited treatment options. The Sorafenib monothearpy is the only efficacious systemic treatment agent showing a survival benefit in these patients. In our study, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of Sorafenib in advanced and metastatic HCC patients. Methodology: Twenty patients with advanced HCC (between Jan. 2011 and Dec. 2013), and not eligible for loco regional therapy were treated prospectively with Sorafenib monotherapy with assessment of survival and toxicity. Follow up was until Oct. 2014. Results: According to Eastern Cooperative On­cology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 2 was found in the most of patients 13/20 while Ps  3 in 7/20 and Child-Pugh class A in (40.0%) of cases and B (60.0%) of patients. Six patients had stage IV-A tumors, whereas 14 had stage IV-B tumors. Four patients had portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Following Sorafenib monotherapy, the disease control rate was( 65.0)% with 5 patients (25.0%) had a parial response while stable disease in 8 patients (40.0%) with a median overall survival of 12 months and the median progression-free survival was 0 months. Diarrhea and hand-foot skin reactions were the major side effects. Conclusions: In our study, the use of Sorafenib monotherapy in the patients with advanced HCC showed a reasonable outcome and was well tolerated. Further study with a larger number of patients and treated with a long duration is warranted.