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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2014; 20(30): 10249-10261
Published online Aug 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i30.10249
Implications of biomarkers in human hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and therapy
Li-Li Han, Yi Lv, Hui Guo, Zhi-Ping Ruan, Ke-Jun Nan
Li-Li Han, Hui Guo, Zhi-Ping Ruan, Ke-Jun Nan, Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Yi Lv, Departments of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: Han LL conducted the literature review and wrote the manuscript; Guo H and Ruan ZP revised the manuscript; Lv Y and Nan KJ provided guidance in the preparation of the manuscript; all authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81172361
Correspondence to: Ke-Jun Nan, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 58 Chang’an North Road, Beilin District, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China. nankj@163.com
Telephone: +86-29-85324086 Fax: +86-29-85324086
Received: September 27, 2013
Revised: March 21, 2014
Accepted: April 27, 2014
Published online: August 14, 2014
Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent tumors worldwide and accounts for approximately one-third of all malignancies. In the past decade, advances have been made to improve the prognosis of HCC, including improvement in the clinical diagnosis of early-stage HCC using molecular biomarkers and molecular-targeted therapy to treat advanced HCC. However, the diagnosis, pathogenesis and targeted therapy of HCC are not completely independent, and should be comprehensively studied. For example, a number of tumor markers provide useful clinical information not only for prognosis, but also in pathogenesis and treatment efficacy. Therefore, this review will focus on the role of several specific biomarkers implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC and several promising molecular-targeted drugs that target the biomarkers of HCC.

Keywords: Biomarkers, Pathogenesis, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Targeted therapy, MicroRNAs

Core tip: Advances made in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in recent years include improvements in clinical diagnosis using biomarkers and the potential of molecular-targeted therapy. The diagnosis, pathogenesis and targeted therapy of HCC should be comprehensively studied. Several biomarkers, including both traditional biomarkers and novel biomarkers, such as microRNAs, are also essential in the pathogenesis of HCC, and represent important new targets for HCC therapy. Ongoing studies and clinical trials suggest that molecular-targeted drugs that target biomarkers and their pathways will be used to treat HCC.