Abstract: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma(PHC)is one of the most common malignancies worldwide.Because PHC usually presents as an intermediate or advanced disease and occurs in the background of liver cirrhosis, most patients are not suitable for treatment with curative intent.Thus, effective systemic chemotherapy or molecular targeted therapy is required.The purpose of this article is to review the current status, progress of systemic chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy of PHC.