Tivantinib: critical review with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Sorafenib is the only approved agent for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that blocks several receptors involved in tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The hepatocyte-growth factor/mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) factor pathway represents another emerging target in HCC. Tivantinib (ARQ 197) is an oral, selective small MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor...