Tag Archives: HCC

Regorafenib approved for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver that occurs as a result of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatitis B and C infections (Figure 1). Serum alpha-fetoprotien (AFP) levels are elevated early in the disease, and screening of patients with chronic liver disease for AFP has lead to earlier diagnosis of HCC. The test is 40-64% sensitive (the ability to detect disease when disease is truly present) because many HCCs do not produce AFP, but it is 75-91% specific (the ability to rule out disease when disease is truly absent) – an AFP of over 400 mg/mL is considered diagnostic. Continue reading

PD-L1 Inhibitor, avelumab, approved for Merkel cell carcinoma

Avelumab (Bavencio) is a PD-L1 inhibitor that was approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Continue reading