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A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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Molecular pathways and related target therapies in liver carcinoma

S Tommasi1, R Pinto, B Pilato

  • 1Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Giovanni Paolo II Bari, Italy. s.tommasi@oncologico.bari.it

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|November 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment lacks a gold standard. Targeting molecular pathways like Wnt/beta-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR offers new therapeutic avenues for liver cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer lacking a definitive treatment.
  • Understanding cancerogenesis reveals genetic and epigenetic alterations in liver cancer metabolic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review metabolic pathways and molecular alterations in HCC.
  • To highlight recent advances in molecular and gene therapy for HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on HCC molecular targets.
  • Analysis of genetic and epigenetic alterations in key signaling pathways.
  • Examination of preclinical and clinical trial data for targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Key altered molecular targets include tyrosine kinase receptors, Wnt/beta-catenin, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, cell cycle regulators (p53, p16/INK4), and EMT/TGFbeta signaling.
  • Genetic/epigenetic changes in these targets are explored in preclinical and clinical settings.
  • Targeted therapies show promise for HCC prevention and treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting specific molecular pathways offers novel therapeutic strategies for HCC.
  • Advances in molecular and gene therapy are crucial for improving HCC outcomes.
  • Combination therapies targeting multiple molecular alterations may enhance treatment efficacy.

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