A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma cured with antiviral therapy and sorafenib

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to be a devastating complication of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Local ablative therapies for small HCC are successful, but treatment of advanced HCC is severely lacking. Sorafenib is the only current therapy for advanced HCC. However its benefit is limited to a short gain in survival. Recently, studies have shown survival benefit of antiviral therapy for HBV associated HCC. We present a case where a large advanced HCC achieved a cure following combined therapy with sorafenib and anti-HBV drugs. It appears that in addition to sorafenib, continuous suppression/elimination of the virus with anti-HBV therapy prevented new/recurrent HCC while the remaining tumor was locally ablated.Core tip: In addition to sorafenib to control the existing tumor, antiviral drugs can prevent the development of new or recurrent cancer by suppressing the viral (the hepatocarcinogen) replication. Another point is the patient's attitude and compliance. This patient was determined to receive maximum sorafenib treatment and tolerated the severe side effects and was able to achieve this favorable result.