Targeting inflammatory pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma: recent developments

Chronic inflammation is a well-established driver of malignancy in many various cancer conditions. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant illustrator of cancer linked to an inflammatory response and known to arises from prolonged liver damage. Inflammation is ranked number five of the most common factors in the occurrence of cancer conditions globally. Furthermore, it is placed third as the leading reason for cancer-related deaths, accompanied by nearly a million new diagnosis and fatalities annually. Pathological inflammation causes an ongoing liver damage and regeneration, which leads to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually HCC. Although various factors contribute to HCC, a common mechanism is the inflammatory response that is triggered by cell death and the resulting inflammatory cascades. This review assesses recent progress in liver cancer research, focusing on how inflammatory pathways contribute to disease progression. It highlights the role of cytokines along with other inflammatory mediators in the progression of HCC stemming from chronic liver damage. The review also explores new therapeutic approaches targeting inflammatory pathways, including novel compounds and synthetic agents, such as IL-6 receptor antagonist and NF-κB pathway blockers and their potential for effectively treating and preventing liver cancer. Furthermore, it addresses current limitations and challenges in targeting inflammatory signalling and outlines future research directions to advance the clinical development of anti-inflammatory agents for liver cancer prevention and treatment.