Explore cutting-edge liver cancer research with Novotech CRO's disease report. Learn about new treatments, clinical trials, and future innovations in liver cancer care.
Liver cancer is the sixth most diagnosed cancer globally and the third leading cause of cancer death. Hepatocellular carcinoma, making up about 90% of liver cancer cases, usually arises in individuals with chronic liver disease from hepatitis, cirrhosis, inherited liver conditions, or aflatoxin exposure. Men are at a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma than women. Over the next 25 years, liver cancer cases are projected to keep rising, potentially surpassing 1.5 million new cases annually by 2050, nearly a 70% increase from 2022.
Hepatocellular carcinoma shows optimal long-term survival outcomes with surgical resection, but many patients are ineligible due to tumor size or liver conditions, making liver transplantation a viable alternative. Treatment options range from traditional chemotherapy to advanced therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Guidelines from NCCN, ESMO, and Asian clinical practice provide comprehensive recommendations for systemic therapies, tailored to different stages and patient conditions.
Moving on to prevalence, liver cancer poses a significant health burden with nearly 860,000 new cases and 760,000 cancer deaths reported in 2022, globally. Asia recorded the highest incidence, followed by Europe, North America, and rest of the world regions. The country-wise incidence rates showed variations, with Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, and China having the highest rates among others. These diverse trends reflect the complex epidemiological landscape of liver cancer across the world.
Regarding clinical trials, since 2018, the biotech and biopharma industry initiated over 1700 liver cancer trials. Asia-Pacific and North America led in the number of trials conducted, followed by Europe, while the rest of the world contributed moderately. Mainland China led in Asia-Pacific, while the United States was prominent in North America. Significant research efforts were also seen in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom in the European region, and in Israel within the rest of the world. In terms of patient recruitment trends, Asia-Pacific showed shorter recruitment durations and faster patient recruitment rates.
Next, moving on to the marketed and drug pipeline trends, there are diverse products offered by companies like Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, and Pfizer Inc., covering antibodies and small molecules. Multiple ongoing Phase III trials also demonstrate continued efforts in developing these and other innovative drug modalities such as the antibody-drug conjugates. These and several other research and development initiatives represent a comprehensive approach by the companies involved, in their pursuit to addressing liver cancer treatment complexities and enhancing patient outcomes.
In conclusion, liver cancer remains a global health challenge, but recent treatment advances have improved patient outcomes compared to the previous years. Disparities in global prevalence rates and healthcare infrastructure highlight the need for tailored approaches and strong healthcare initiatives. The increase in liver cancer clinical trials and diverse therapeutic options reflects ongoing efforts to address liver cancer complexities and enhance patient well-being. Collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical, and biotech companies holds promise for further progress in liver cancer management and care.
Novotech, a global clinical CRO, has partnered with numerous biotech companies and completed hundreds of oncology projects, including those in immuno-oncology and advanced therapies for indications such as liver cancer. Novotech supports over 5,000 clinical projects across all phases and bioequivalence studies. Recognized for its contributions, Novotech has received the CRO Leadership Award 2023 and has been the Asia-Pacific CRO Company of the Year since 2006.
Discover more about the global clinical trial landscape for liver cancer by downloading our comprehensive disease report.