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Review
. 2022 Aug 22:12:959852.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.959852. eCollection 2022.

Racial disparities in liver cancer: Evidence for a role of environmental contaminants and the epigenome

Adriana C Vidal  1 , Cynthia A Moylan  2 , Julius Wilder  2 , Delores J Grant  3 , Susan K Murphy  4 , Cathrine Hoyo  1
Affiliations
Review

Racial disparities in liver cancer: Evidence for a role of environmental contaminants and the epigenome

Adriana C Vidal et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Liver cancer incidence has tripled since the early 1980s, making this disease one of the fastest rising types of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the US, incidence varies by geographic location and race, with the highest incidence in the southwestern and southeastern states and among racial minorities such as Hispanic and Black individuals. Prognosis is also poorer among these populations. The observed ethnic disparities do not fully reflect differences in the prevalence of risk factors, e.g., for cirrhosis that may progress to liver cancer or from genetic predisposition. Likely substantial contributors to risk are environmental factors, including chemical and non-chemical stressors; yet, the paucity of mechanistic insights impedes prevention efforts. Here, we review the current literature and evaluate challenges to reducing liver cancer disparities. We also discuss the hypothesis that epigenetic mediators may provide biomarkers for early detection to support interventions that reduce disparities.

Keywords: contaminants; epigenetic; epigenome; liver cancer; race.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual model for progression from metabolic dysfunction, NAFLD, NASH, Cirrhosis and HCC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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