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Yoon. Hepatoma Res 2018;4:42 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2018.23

Review Open Access

Molecular mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma

Seung Kew Yoon

Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea; The
Catholic University Liver Research Center & WHO Collaborating Center of Viral Hepatitis, Seoul, South Korea.

Correspondence to: Prof. Seung Kew Yoon, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine,
The Catholic University of Korea, #222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, South Korea. E-mail: yoonsk@catholic.ac.kr

How to cite this article: Yoon SK. Molecular mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatoma Res 2018;4:42.
http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2018.23

Received: 19 Mar 2018 First Decision: 19 Apr 2018 Revised: 12 Jul 2018 Accepted: 17 Jul 2018 Published: 8 Aug 2018
Science Editor: Guang-Wen Cao Copy Editor: Jun-Yao Li Production Editor: Huan-Liang Wu

Abstract
Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very complex and occurs through a multistep biological
process of malignant transformation of normal hepatocytes in which various factors, including genetic and
epigenetic alterations, regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and immunity are involved. To date, numerous
studies have described the molecular pathogenesis of HCC, but the precise molecular mechanisms of HCC
development remain unclear. Emerging single-cell transcriptome analysis technology is a powerful tool for defining
sub-populations within heterogeneous bulk tumor tissue and allows molecular characterization of each cell. This
breakthrough method can unveil the molecular mechanisms of HCC. In this article, I discuss recent advances in
the molecular pathogenesis of HCC through this newly emerging concept of single-cell analysis.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, molecular mechanism, pathogenesis, characterization

INTRODUCTION
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most prevalent cancer in men, the seventh most common in
[1,2]
women and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide . HCC accounts for approximately
[1]
85% of liver cancers and is characterized by a highly heterogenetic pathogenesis with an aggressive clinical
course leading to poor survival. The risk factors for HCC are relatively well defined compared with those for
other cancers. The risk factors include chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection,
chronically heavy alcohol consumption, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
[2]
(NAFLD) . The incidence of HCC is considered to be significantly higher in eastern Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa, which are endemic areas of HBV infection, but the incidence of HCC is rising in Western countries
[3,4]
due to increases in HCV infection, chronic alcoholic intake and NAFLD .

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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