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Review
. 2016 Jan;3(1):29-43.
doi: 10.2217/hep.15.40. Epub 2015 Nov 30.

Role of alcohol in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Iain H McKillop  1   1 , Laura W Schrum  2   2 , Kyle J Thompson  1   1
Affiliations
Review

Role of alcohol in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Iain H McKillop et al. Hepat Oncol. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Chronic, heavy ethanol consumption is a major risk for developing the worsening liver pathologies that culminate in hepatic cirrhosis, the leading risk factor for developing HCC. A significant body of work reports the biochemical and pathological consequences of ethanol consumption and metabolism during hepatocarcinogeneis. The systemic effects of ethanol means organ system interactions are equally important in understanding the initiation and progression of HCC within the alcoholic liver. This review aims to summarize the effects of ethanol-ethanol metabolism during the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease, the progression toward HCC and the importance of ethanol as a comorbid factor for HCC development.

Keywords: DNA adducts; Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1); alcohol; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); reactive oxygen species (ROS).

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. We would like to thank Dr Jennifer C. Barnes for her assistance with preparing and editing the manuscript.

Figures

<b>Figure 1.</b>
Figure 1.. Schematic diagram illustrating major hepatic ethanol metabolism pathways.
4HNE: 4-Hydroxynonenal; ADH: Alcohol dehydrogenase; ALDH: Aldehyde dehydrogenase; CYP2E1: Cytochrome P450 2E1; MDA: Malondialdhyde; ROS: Reactive oxygen species.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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