TACE + sorafenib

TACE + sorafenib is a combination therapy approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that combines transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib. TACE delivers chemotherapeutic medications directly into the hepatic artery supplying the tumor and then embolizes the artery to retain drugs within the tumor, optimizing tumor exposure while reducing systemic toxicity. Sorafenib targets several angiogenesis pathways, including VEGFR2 and PDGFR. The rationale for this combination is that TACE can stimulate VEGF production by residual tumor cells due to hypoxia, potentially leading to increased tumor angiogenesis and formation of collateral circulation. Sorafenib inhibits these angiogenic factors, potentially enhancing TACE efficacy by preventing the development of new blood vessels that could support tumor growth after TACE.

Brand names

Nexavar

Other names

Sorafenib combined with TACESorafenib plus DEB-TACESorafenib plus TACECombined sorafenib and TACE