Molecular Pathogenesis of Liver Cancer

Excerpt

Most frequent primary liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma in adults, and hepatoblastoma in children. More than 80% of liver tumors are HCCs [1]. This short review will focus primarily on the molecular pathogenesis of HCC; readers are referred to our previous reviews for a more comprehensive analysis [2, 3]. Worldwide, each year, more than 740,000 people die of HCC [4]. The most efficient treatment for HCC is liver transplantation provided that it is detected early enough. Surgical removal and chemo-embolization of tumor nodules are other alternatives. These tumors are usually resistant to chemo- or radiotherapy [1]. Only one drug, namely sorafenib, is approved for targeted therapy of HCC, but its efficacy is very limited [5]. …