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Carvalho et al. Hepatoma Res 2020;6:6 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2019.027

Review Open Access

Coffee protection against the development of
hepatocellular carcinoma: review article

Kellyane S. D. Carvalho, Helma P. Cotrim

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia 40110-060, Brazil.

Correspondence to: Dr. Helma P. Cotrim, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Saúde - PPGMS, Complexo Universitário Professor
Edgard Santos, Rua Augusto Viana, 5o. andar; Canela, Salvador, Bahia 40110-060, Brazil. E-mail: helmacotrim@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Carvalho KSD, Cotrim HP. Coffee protection against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: review
article. Hepatoma Res 2020;6:6. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2019.027

Received: 8 Nov 2019 First Decision: 13 Dec 2019 Revised: 20 Jan 2020 Accepted: 6 Feb 2020 Published: 21 Feb 2020

Science Editor: Dalbir Sandhu Copy Editor: Jing-Wen Zhang Production Editor: Tian Zhang

Abstract
Coffee, a popular drink around the world, is composed of a complex mix of biologically active molecules, including
caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and diterpenes. These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and
anticarcinogenic properties, which may explain observational data showing that coffee drinkers have lower rates
of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies have also shown
that coffee consumption may also increase patient survival before and after liver transplantation. The mechanism
by which coffee consumption protects against HCC is not clear; however, its relevant role has been demonstrated.
This literature review article focuses on the role of coffee consumption in protecting against the development of
HCC. Methodology: Scientific articles indexed through PubMed, including Medline, Scielo, and Lilacs, published
in English were used as search methods. The terms used in English were: “hepatocellular carcinoma” or “Liver
cancer” or “HCC” and “coffee”. According to the study design or review article, cross-sectional, longitudinal, or
descriptive investigations were included, showing site and year of publication until 2019.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, coffee consumption protection, liver cancer

INTRODUCTION
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main and most frequent malignant liver tumor today. Its prevalence
[1]
has been increasing steadily around the world in recent decades , and its development is associated with
chronic liver diseases caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,
[2,3]
and metabolic diseases such as primary hemochromatosis .

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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