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Review
. 2020 Feb 20;12(2):491.
doi: 10.3390/cancers12020491.

Molecular Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Targets in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Manali Dimri  1 , Ande Satyanarayana  1
Affiliations
Review

Molecular Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Targets in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Manali Dimri et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex biological process and is often diagnosed at advanced stages with no effective treatment options. With advances in tumor biology and molecular genetic profiling, several different signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms have been identified as responsible for initiating and promoting HCC. Targeting these critical pathways, which include the receptor tyrosine kinase pathways, the Ras mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/Raf/MAPK), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation and the hedgehog signaling pathway has led to the identification of novel therapeutics for HCC treatment. In this review, we elaborated on our current understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the development and initiation of HCC and anticipate the potential targets for therapeutic drug development.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; signaling pathway; targeted therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of major signaling pathways involved in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Ubiquitin proteasome pathway.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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