Inclusion Criteria:
- Histological or cytological confirmation of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) or non-invasive diagnosis of HCC as per American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases criteria in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage Category B or C that cannot benefit from treatments of established efficacy with higher priority such as resection, local ablation, chemoembolization or systemic sorafenib.
- Failure to prior treatment with sorafenib (defined as documented radiological progression according to the radiology charter). Randomization needs to be performed within 10 weeks after the last treatment with sorafenib.
- Tolerability of prior treatment with sorafenib defined as not less than 20 days at a minimum daily dose of 400 mg QD within the last 28 days prior to withdrawal.
- Liver function status Child-Pugh Class A. Child Pugh status should be calculated based on clinical findings and laboratory results during the screening period.
Local or loco-regional therapy of intrahepatic tumor lesions (e.g. surgery, radiation therapy, hepatic arterial embolization, chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, or cryoablation) must have been completed >/=4 weeks before first dose of study medication. Note: patients who received sole intrahepatic intraarterial chemotherapy, without lipiodol or embolizing agents are not eligible.
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 or 1.
- Adequate bone marrow, liver and renal function as assessed by the following laboratory tests conducted within 7 days before randomization.
- Glomerular filtration rate >/= 30 ml/min/1.73 m^2 according to the Modification of diet in renal disease study equation.
- At least one uni-dimensional measurable lesion by computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to RECIST (RECIST version 1.1), and modified RECIST for HCC. Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area, or in an area subjected to other loco-regional therapy, may be considered measurable if there has been demonstrated progression in the lesion.
- Life expectancy of at least 3 months.
- Women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception .
Exclusion Criteria :
- Sorafenib treatment within 2 weeks of randomization.
- Prior systemic treatment for HCC, except sorafenib.
- Permanent discontinuation of prior sorafenib therapy due to sorafenib related toxicity.
- Known history or symptomatic metastatic brain or meningeal tumors (head CT or MRI at screening to confirm the absence of central nervous system [CNS] disease if patient has symptoms suggestive or consistent with CNS disease).
- Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure [BP] > 150 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg despite optimal medical management).
- Uncontrolled ascites (defined as not easily controlled with diuretic or paracentesis treatment).
- Ongoing infection > Grade 2 according to NCI-CTCAE (National Cancer Institute - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v. 4.0. Hepatitis B is allowed if no active replication is present. Hepatitis C is allowed if no antiviral treatment is required.
- Clinically significant bleeding NCI-CTCAE version 4.0 Grade 3 or higher within 30 days before randomization.
- Arterial or venous thrombotic or embolic events such as cerebrovascular accident (including transient ischemic attacks), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 6 months before the start of study medication.
- Patients unable to swallow oral medications.
- Interstitial lung disease with ongoing signs and symptoms at the time of screening.