Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and its Potential Applications in the Development of Anti-HCC Drugs

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary tumor of the liver and one of the most malignant of tumors, with a mortality rate ranked second worldwide. Conventional therapeutics such as liver transplants and surgical resection, are of importance in HCC treatments. However, those treatments are limited and have a high frequency of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Currently, there is only one FDA approved anti-HCC drug - Sorafenib, which is well-tolerated. Thus, there is a great need to develop more effective HCC-targeting drugs. Angiogenesis, with the involvement of various angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, is fundamental for tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. HCC is a tumor type having a high level of neo-angiogenesis, and widely varying vascularity during tumor development. The accumulated experimental and clinical data indicate that HCC tumor progression is strongly associated with angiogenesis, with poor HCC prognosis related to the increase in micro-vascular density. A series of angiogenic factors have been investigated in HCC and show anti-HCC potential. Presently, there are certain anti-angiogenic therapeutics that have been evaluated in animal models and clinical trials. In this chapter, we will review the advances of HCC angiogenesis, angiogenic factors, the applications of anti-angiogenic agents, and also discuss the limitation, challenge and other potential strategies in searching for anti-HCC drugs via targeting angiogenesis.

Keywords: Angiogenesis, Anti-angiogenesis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Sorafenib, Targeting Drugs.