McKillop Iain H, Moran Diarmuid M, Jin Xiaoling, Koniaris Leonidas G
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, USA.
J Surg Res. 2006 Nov;136(1):125-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2006.04.013. Epub 2006 Oct 3.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common life-threatening malignancies in the world. This cancer generally arises within the boundaries of well-defined causal factors, of which viral hepatitis infection, aflatoxin exposure, chronic alcohol abuse, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are the major risk factors. Despite the identification of these etiological agents, hepatocarcinogenesis remains poorly understood. The molecular mechanisms leading to the development of HCC appear extremely complex and only recently have begun to be elucidated. Currently, surgical resection or liver transplantation offer the best chance of cure for the patient with HCC; however, these therapies are hindered by inability of many of these patients to undergo liver resection, by tumor recurrence and by donor shortages. A lack of suitable therapeutic strategies has led to a greater focus on prevention of HCC using antiviral agents and vaccination. Overall, the current outlook for patients with HCC is bleak; however, a better understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of this cancer should lead to the development of more efficacious therapies.
肝细胞癌（HCC）是全球最常见的危及生命的恶性肿瘤之一。这种癌症通常在明确的致病因素范围内发生，其中病毒性肝炎感染、黄曲霉毒素暴露、慢性酒精滥用和非酒精性脂肪性肝炎是主要危险因素。尽管已经确定了这些致病因素，但肝癌发生的机制仍知之甚少。导致HCC发生的分子机制似乎极其复杂，直到最近才开始得到阐明。目前，手术切除或肝移植为HCC患者提供了最佳的治愈机会；然而，许多患者无法进行肝切除、肿瘤复发以及供体短缺阻碍了这些治疗方法的应用。缺乏合适的治疗策略使得人们更加关注使用抗病毒药物和疫苗预防HCC。总体而言，目前HCC患者的前景黯淡；然而，对这种癌症的分子和遗传基础有更深入的了解应该会带来更有效的治疗方法的发展。
