FDA-Approved Monoclonal Antibodies for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do We Know So Far?

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an advanced primary liver malignancy with a poor prognosis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has, to date, approved nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ramucirumab, nivolumab/ipilimumab, atezolizumab/bevacizumab, as well as tremelimumab/durvalumab, as first- or second-line monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for unresectable HCC. The present review examines the current state of knowledge, and provides a useful update on the safety and efficacy of these therapeutic agents, thus attempting to define the suitability of each mAb for different patient subgroups.

Automated summary

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a poor-prognosis advanced primary liver malignancy. The FDA has approved several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ramucirumab, nivolumab/ipilimumab, atezolizumab/bevacizumab, and tremelimumab/durvalumab as first- or second-line therapies for unresectable HCC. This review provides an update on the safety and efficacy of these mAbs, aiming to determine their suitability for different patient subgroups.