Welcome to Module 4

This module is introduced by Jean-Charles Nault, MD, PhD (Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, USPC, France), together with Marion Allaire, MD, PhD (Hôpitaux Pitié-Salpêtrière AP-HP and ​​​Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, USPC, France).

They will guide you through the biological, diagnostic, and therapeutic complexity of hepatocellular carcinoma, from early-stage disease to advanced settings, and from molecular mechanisms to clinical decision-making.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly heterogeneous disease, both biologically and clinically. Its management requires an integrated understanding of tumor biology, liver function, stage of disease, and patient-specific factors. Recent advances—particularly in immunotherapy and molecular profiling—have profoundly changed prognosis and therapeutic strategies, while ongoing research continues to refine personalized approaches to care.

Through a series of focused lectures, this module will provide learners with the conceptual framework and practical insights needed to navigate the increasingly complex management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

In this module, students will explore:

• The physiopathology of hepatocellular carcinoma and how it translates into clinical practice

• The genomic heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical implications

• The role of circulating biomarkers as emerging tools to manage patients

• Screening, diagnosis, and staging strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma

• The complexity of treatment selection in early-stage disease, including ablation, resection, and liver transplantation

• Locoregional treatments such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and selective internal radiation therapy in selected patients

• The evolving role of systemic therapies, including immunotherapy, in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

• Emerging molecular and genomic-based therapies, particularly after immunotherapy failure

Upon completing Module 4, students will be able to:

• Understand the physiopathology of hepatocellular carcinoma and how it could be translated into clinical practice
• Understand diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma

• Understand the main curative treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma

• Understand the role of systemic treatment in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma