DNA methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

World J Gastroenterol

Institute of Pathology, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Burkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany.

Published: March 2008

As for many other tumors, development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) must be understood as a multistep process with accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in regulatory genes, leading to activation of oncogenes and inactivation or loss of tumor suppressor genes (TSG). In the last decades, in addition to genetic alterations, epigenetic inactivation of (tumor suppressor) genes by promoter hypermethylation has been recognized as an important and alternative mechanism in tumorigenesis. In HCC, aberrant methylation of promoter sequences occurs not only in advanced tumors, it has been also observed in premalignant conditions just as chronic viral hepatitis B or C and cirrhotic liver. This review discusses the epigenetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma focusing DNA methylation.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695914PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.1741DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma
12
dna methylation
8
epigenetic alterations
8
tumor suppressor
8
suppressor genes
8
methylation hepatocellular
4
carcinoma tumors
4
tumors development
4
development hepatocellular
4
carcinoma hcc
4

Similar Publications

Liver cancer poses a global health challenge with limited therapeutic options. Notably, the limited success of current therapies in patients with primary liver cancers (PLCs) may be attributed to the high heterogeneity of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCAs). This heterogeneity evolves over time as tumor-initiating stem cells, or cancer stem cells (CSCs), undergo (epi)genetic alterations or encounter microenvironmental changes within the tumor microenvironment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background & Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), one of the most serious prognostic factors for mortality in alcohol-related cirrhosis (ALD cirrhosis), is not recorded in Danish healthcare registries. However, treatment of HE with lactulose, the universal first-line treatment, can be identified through data on filled prescriptions. This study aimed to investigate if lactulose can be used as a surrogate marker of HE.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Role of immune cell homeostasis in research and treatment response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Clin Exp Med

January 2025

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.

Introduction Recently, immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) have become crucial in regulating cancer progression and treatment responses. The dynamic interactions between tumors and immune cells are emerging as a promising strategy to activate the host's immune system against various cancers. The development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involve complex biological processes, with the role of the TME and tumor phenotypes still not fully understood.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: 58 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and are at risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective; however, they are burdened by high costs and the unchanged risk of HCC and reinfection, making prophylactic countermeasures an urgent medical need. HCV high genetic diversity is one of the main obstacles to vaccine development.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Methyltransferase-like (METTL) family protein plays a crucial role in the progression of malignancies. However, the function of METTL17 across pan-cancers, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poorly understood.

Methods: All original data were downloaded from TCGA, GTEx, HPA, UCSC databases and various data portals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!