Targeted Drug Boosts Survival Among Liver Cancer Patients

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The current study was a randomized, placebo-controlled study that included 602 people with advanced liver cancer. Despite that, however, the study volunteers still retained liver function.

Although there was no significant difference in the time to symptomatic progression of the disease, there was approximately a three-month increase in survival, on average, for the sorafenib group.

Sorafenib works by slowing down cell proliferation and reducing the formation of new blood vessels that feed the tumor mass, according to Llovet. So, while the medication doesn't reduce the size of the tumor, it can delay the progression of the disease. In fact, Llovet said, they've had patients who have remained progression-free for more than three years.

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Llovet also said the researchers are combining sorafenib with other treatments to see if they can make further progress against this deadly cancer. And the researchers are testing sorafenib earlier in the course of the disease to see if it might be even more effective then.

The drug was generally well-tolerated. Fatigue was the most common side effect.

Roberts said the findings are very exciting. "For the first time, we have a drug that has been clearly shown to improve survival." But, he added, "this is clearly just a first step," and he'd like to see more emphasis on prevention and screening for high-risk populations. He said that anyone who has been diagnosed with hepatitis B or C should be screened with an ultrasound every six months, so that if liver cancer develops, it can be treated early.

Additionally, Roberts pointed out that sorafenib is quite expensive, averaging more than $5,000 a month for treatment. The drug is currently approved in the United States for the treatment of a form of advanced kidney cancer.

The study was supported by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals-Onyx Pharmaceuticals, makers of Nexavar.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more information on liver cancer.

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