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Updated: Nov 19, 2025

A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties
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Role of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) in human liver cancer

Sarah Da Won Bae1, Romario Nguyen1, Liang Qiao1

  • 1Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|February 2, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) plays a complex role in liver cancer. While rodent models suggest CAR promotes tumors, human studies indicate CAR may suppress liver cancer and aid regeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Hepatology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a nuclear receptor (NR1I3), is primarily expressed in the liver.
  • CAR influences drug, energy, and bilirubin metabolism, and its activation in mice promotes tumorigenesis.
  • Significant species differences exist in CAR activity, questioning the applicability of rodent models to human CAR function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of CAR in human liver cancer, emphasizing species differences.
  • To explore the emerging tumor-suppressive functions of CAR in liver cancer.
  • To discuss CAR's role in regulating liver cancer stem cells.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on CAR function in animal models and human studies.
  • Analysis of studies investigating CAR's role in liver cancer and regeneration.
  • Examination of CAR's impact on liver cancer stem cell regulation.

Main Results:

  • Rodent models show CAR activation leads to liver tumorigenesis via pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic signaling.
  • Human studies suggest CAR's role in rodent liver tumorigenesis is not applicable.
  • Emerging evidence indicates a tumor-suppressive role for CAR in human liver cancer, promoting differentiation and regeneration.

Conclusions:

  • CAR's function in liver cancer differs significantly between rodents and humans.
  • CAR exhibits a potential tumor-suppressive role in human liver cancer.
  • CAR may be crucial for liver regeneration and regulating liver cancer stem cells.
Keywords:
Constitutive androstane receptorHepatocarcinogenesisLiver cancer stem cellsNuclear receptorSpecies differences

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