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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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Understanding Gene Involvement in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Gene Therapy and Personalized Medicine

Mahmoud A Younis1,2, Hideyoshi Harashima1

  • 1Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.

Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
|May 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Gene therapy offers new hope for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a deadly liver cancer. This review explores gene targets, innovative therapies like genome editing, and nanomedicine delivery for improved HCC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Oncology
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
  • Conventional treatments for HCC often lack efficacy and cause severe side effects.
  • Gene therapy presents a promising alternative for managing HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of genes and signaling pathways in HCC pathogenesis and prognosis.
  • To highlight non-coding RNAs as potential therapeutic targets in HCC.
  • To discuss opportunities and challenges in HCC gene therapy, including novel delivery systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Analysis of dysregulated signaling pathways, immune evasion genes, and non-coding RNAs in HCC.
  • Examination of advanced gene delivery technologies, including nanomedicines and genome editing.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated genes, signaling pathways, and non-coding RNAs are key players in HCC development and progression.
  • Gene therapy targets offer potential for more effective and less toxic HCC treatment.
  • Innovative approaches like genome editing, cell therapies, and nanomedicine-based delivery are emerging.

Conclusions:

  • Gene therapy holds significant promise for advancing hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
  • Overcoming challenges in gene delivery and clinical translation is crucial for therapeutic success.
  • Future research should focus on refining gene targets and delivery systems for clinical application in HCC.
Keywords:
clinical translationgene therapyhepatocellular carcinomananomedicinespersonalized medicine

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