Hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular pathways and new therapeutic targets

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hepatology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting curative treatment options.
• Current chemotherapy for HCC is largely ineffective.
• Cancer biology research identifies critical pathways driving HCC cell proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting key molecular pathways in advanced HCC.
• To emphasize the need for integrating HCC treatments with management of chronic liver disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advances in cancer biology and targeted therapies for HCC.
• Identification of critical signaling pathways implicated in HCC development and progression.
• Discussion of novel agents targeting receptor tyrosine kinases, Wnt/beta-catenin, ubiquitin/proteasome, epigenetic modifications, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, angiogenesis, and telomerase.

Main Results:

• Several novel therapeutic agents targeting specific molecular pathways demonstrate significant promise for advanced HCC.
• These targeted therapies offer potential for improving long-term outcomes in HCC patients.
• The high prevalence of liver cirrhosis necessitates concurrent strategies to manage chronic liver disease progression.

Conclusions:

• Targeted therapies represent a promising frontier for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Effective management of advanced HCC requires a dual approach: targeting cancer pathways and addressing underlying liver disease.
• Future research should focus on combining novel oncologic treatments with liver-protective strategies.