Hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent liver cancer with multifactorial causes, including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, metabolic syndrome, and alcohol consumption.
• Current therapeutic management for HCC, encompassing liver transplantation, resection, ablation, and chemoembolization, is dependent on tumor stage, liver function, and patient performance status, yet remains largely unsatisfactory.
• The intricate signaling pathways involved in HCC initiation and progression present a rationale for developing targeted anti-cancer agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and treatment.
• To highlight the challenges in targeted therapy for advanced HCC.
• To underscore the need for novel therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and research data on HCC etiology and pathogenesis.
• Analysis of current therapeutic strategies and their limitations.
• Evaluation of the role of signaling pathways in HCC development.

Main Results:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous tumor influenced by viral infections (HBV, HCV), metabolic syndrome, and alcohol.
• Existing treatments for HCC are stage-dependent and often unsatisfactory, with limited success in targeted therapy.
• Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, is the only approved targeted drug for advanced HCC, indicating significant therapeutic challenges.

Conclusions:

• The complexity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) hinders the efficacy of targeted therapies.
• There is a critical need for the development of more effective anti-cancer agents targeting key signaling pathways in HCC.
• Further research into HCC's molecular mechanisms is essential for advancing treatment outcomes.