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In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines
Published on: April 18, 2025
589
Epigenetic remodelling in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Maria Rita Braghini1, Oriana Lo Re2, Ilaria Romito1
1Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and heterogeneity. Understanding these reversible changes offers new avenues for personalized biomarkers and targeted therapies in liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, ranking as the sixth most diagnosed cancer and fourth leading cause of cancer-related death.
- HCC arises from a complex interplay of genetic alterations and epigenetic modifications, influencing tumor heterogeneity and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of the current understanding of the epigenetic landscape in hepatocarcinogenesis.
- To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of epigenetic factors, including non-coding RNAs and chromatin modifications, in HCC.
- To explore the implications of epigenetic insights for precision medicine approaches in liver cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on epigenetic regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Analysis of research on non-coding RNAs, chromatin modifications, and their role in HCC.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on epigenetic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in liver cancer.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations are key drivers of genomic instability and somatic variations in HCC.
- Epigenetic modifications, unlike genetic changes, are reversible and broadly impact gene expression.
- Non-coding RNAs and chromatin alterations are emerging as significant factors in HCC onset and progression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the epigenetic landscape of HCC is crucial for deciphering its underlying mechanisms and heterogeneity.
- Epigenetic biomarkers hold promise for improved HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and patient stratification.
- Targeting epigenetic pathways represents a promising strategy for developing novel and more effective therapies for liver cancer.
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