Review
Cell Biology
Zaoqu Liu, Yuqing Ren, Lingfang Meng, Lifeng Li, Richard Beatson, Jinhai Deng, Tengfei Zhang, Junqi Liu, Xinwei Han
Summary: Chronic inflammation activates signaling pathways through inflammatory cytokines, regulating the generation of CSCs via epigenetic mechanisms, with the mechanism still not fully elucidated. Understanding the relationship between inflammation and cancer stem cells is important for improving tumor treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Pin Zhao, Samiullah Malik, Shaojun Xing
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is predominantly caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with chronic infection leading to a higher risk of HCC development. The mechanisms behind HCC in chronic HCV infection involve intricate epigenetic regulation and cellular signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaona Fang, Qian Yan, Shan Liu, Xin-Yuan Guan
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge of intrinsic molecules and signaling pathways involved in hepatic cancer stem cells (CSCs), as well as the effects of extrinsic cellular components on these CSCs. Additionally, it provides an overview of CSCs-targeted therapy strategies based on intervention in these molecular mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaomeng Dai, Yixuan Guo, Yan Hu, Xuanwen Bao, Xudong Zhu, Qihan Fu, Hangyu Zhang, Zhou Tong, Lulu Liu, Yi Zheng, Peng Zhao, Weijia Fang
Summary: The rapid development and remarkable success of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma, has provided significant breakthroughs. However, only a small percentage of patients benefit from these inhibitors, as cancer stem cells play a crucial role in recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Understanding the mechanisms of immune evasion by CSCs in HCC is essential for developing effective therapies.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mirjam B. Zeisel, Francesca Guerrieri, Massimo Levrero
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is largely caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. While antiviral therapies can suppress viral replication, there is currently no cure for chronic HBV infection. HBV contributes to liver carcinogenesis through direct and indirect effects on host epigenetic alterations, modulating gene expression.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Duoduo Lv, Liyu Chen, Lingyao Du, Lingyun Zhou, Hong Tang
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly driven by liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), which contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, the regulatory mechanisms of LCSCs in HCC are still unclear. Understanding the signaling pathways responsible for LCSC maintenance and survival may improve patient outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sheng Li, Lina Wu, Hong Zhang, Xijuan Liu, Zilei Wang, Bin Dong, Guang Cao
Summary: The study found that GINS1 is highly expressed in HCC tumors, associated with tumor grades, and predicts poor patient survival. By regulating the HRAS signaling pathway, GINS1 enhances HCC progression and promotes the stem cell activity of tumor cells. In addition, knocking down GINS1 can increase the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kuo-Shyang Jeng, Chiung-Fang Chang, I-Shyang Sheen, Chi-Juei Jeng, Chih-Hsuan Wang
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in HCC play essential roles in tumor progression, resistance to therapy, and metastasis. Several surface markers, including EpCAM, CD90, CD44, and CD133, are used to identify liver CSCs, and multiple molecular signaling pathways, such as Wnt/beta-catenin, TGF-beta, SHH, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and Notch, are implicated. Different markers are associated with poor prognosis, advanced tumor stages, early metastasis, and increased recurrence rate. Targeting CSCs and reducing their population is crucial for improving the treatment of advanced HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Brenda C. Minatel, David E. Cohn, Michelle E. Pewarchuk, Mateus C. Barros-Filho, Adam P. Sage, Greg L. Stewart, Erin A. Marshall, Nikita Telkar, Victor D. Martinez, Patricia P. Reis, Wendy P. Robinson, Wan L. Lam
Summary: Dysregulation of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway genes is involved in cancer development and progression through copy number alteration, promoter hypomethylation, and miRNA deregulation. Characterizing alterations in these genes may uncover novel drug targets in HCC and other diseases.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Shengwei Tao, Shuhang Liang, Taofei Zeng, Dalong Yin
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly form of primary liver cancer. Palliative therapies like multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been the front-line treatment for advanced HCC, but there is limited benefit. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise in treating unresectable solid tumors, but their effectiveness in HCC is limited. This review explores the role of epigenetic modifications in HCC immune resistance to ICIs and discusses potential epigenetic therapies to overcome immune resistance.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sorayya Ghasemi, Suowen Xu, Seyed Mohammad Nabavi, Mohammad Amir Amirkhani, Antoni Sureda, Silvia Tejada, Zahra Lorigooini
Summary: Epigenetic alterations play a significant role in cancer development, especially in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Epigenetic therapies targeting CSCs are emerging as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, with phenolic compounds potentially neutralizing CSCs development and metabolism through epigenetic mechanisms.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Kurt Sartorius, Ping An, Cheryl Winkler, Anil Chuturgoon, Xiaodong Li, Julia Makarova, Anna Kramvis
Summary: This review investigates the interplay between chronic hepatitis B infection, the silencing role of miRNA, epigenetic changes, immune system expression, and HBV-HCC pathogenesis. It highlights the influence of HBx-induced epigenetic miRNA pathways in HBV-HCC and demonstrates the complex interplay between HBV infection, epigenetic changes, disease, and immune response. The review suggests that epigenetic changes and miRNA modulation could offer potential therapeutic options in HBV-HCC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Xiaojing Du, Zhuoran Qi, Jinzhi Xu, Mengzhou Guo, Xingxing Zhang, Zhijie Yu, Xin Cao, Jinglin Xia
Summary: This study identified a set of ferroptosis-related stemness genes and revealed their potential involvement in immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Downregulation of the gene GABARAPL1 in tumor-repopulating cells decreased their sensitivity to ferroptosis.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Liqiong Yang, Tao Zou, Yao Chen, Yueshui Zhao, Xu Wu, Mingxing Li, Fukuan Du, Yu Chen, Zhangang Xiao, Jing Shen
Summary: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem. Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the epigenetic regulation of the host cell genome. This review summarizes the latest findings on the epigenetic regulation induced by HBx in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression. The impact of HBx on the epigenetic regulation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is also discussed, along with preliminary studies on targeted drugs for HBx-induced epigenetic changes.
HEPATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peng Ye, Xiaoxia Chi, Xiuwen Yan, Fangqin Wu, Zhigang Liang, Wen-Hao Yang
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT) in supporting liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and maintaining their stemness. AGXT may sustain the self-renewal potential of LCSCs by upregulating the expression of SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4).