Comprehensive profiling and predictive molecular marker identification for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mostly diagnosed in advanced clinical stages with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Predictive biomarkers and corresponding targeted therapy is still missing for HCC. The only approved systemic drug on the market is the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib, but the results are modest with an additional overall survival of 2 – 3 months. Nevertheless, there are many clinical trials ongoing; however, many fail due to the empiric design. Unlike other tumor entities, no predictive biomarkers with corresponding targeted therapy have so far been established for HC…