Prognostic impact of pERK in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with sorafenib

Abstract Background Sorafenib represents the standard of care targeted therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, biomolecules that predict a patient's response to sorafenib treatment for HCC remain largely unknown. Thus, this study was designed to investigate whether phosphorylated ERK (pERK) and members of the sorafenib target or PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway predict the efficacy of sorafenib in advanced HCC patients. Methodology From December 2008 to October 2011, pathological specimens from 54 advanced HCC patients received sorafenib treatment were obtained. Clinicopathological variables, treatment response, survival and time to progression (TTP) were recorded. Immunophenotypical analysis was carried out using antibodies against pERK, phosphorylated S6K (pS6K), VEGFR2 and PTEN. Results The median overall survival (OS) and TTP were 14.2 and 3.4 months, respectively, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 59.3%. Better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) (95% CI: 3.27–4.93 m vs. 1.15–2.85 m, p = 0.01), Child–Pugh class A score (95% CI: 3.47–4.53 vs. 1.14–2.06 m, p