Target Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Beyond Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Immune Checkpoint...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health issue with rising incidence.
• Current treatments targeting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have suboptimal clinical outcomes.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for effective HCC management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review diverse molecular signaling pathways aberrantly activated in HCC.
• To focus on YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets.
• To discuss novel therapeutic strategies for HCC targeting these specific signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular signaling pathways in HCC.
• Analysis of aberrant activation of YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in HCC.
• Evaluation of potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Main Results:

• Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and immune checkpoint regulators (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4) are established targets in HCC therapy.
• YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways are frequently dysregulated in HCC.
• These pathways represent promising targets for novel HCC therapies.

Conclusions:

• Targeting YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways offers a promising avenue for novel HCC therapies.
• Further research into these pathways could lead to more effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Developing targeted therapies for these pathways may overcome limitations of current HCC treatments.