Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignant disease affecting liver cells, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite the limited treatment options for this aggressive form of cancer, its incidence continues to rise. A team of researchers from MedUni Vienna’s Clinical Institute for Laboratory Medicine, led by Latifa Bakiri and Erwin Wagner, has recently uncovered a critical molecular signaling pathway that contributes to the development of liver cancer. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer new insights into potential therapeutic targets.

HCC is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and rapid progression. Although its incidence has increased significantly in Western countries, it remains comparatively rare. HCC typically develops in the context of advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Unfortunately, it is often diagnosed at a late stage, contributing to its poor prognosis.

Building on earlier research suggesting the involvement of transcription factors c-Fos and c-Jun in HCC development, the scientists developed a new mouse model to further investigate these findings. Their experiments revealed that the combination of c-Jun with previously unidentified (Fra) proteins initiates the cascade of tumor formation. Specifically, the interaction between c-Jun and Fra-2 was found to be essential in the development of liver cancer.

According to Wagner, the study’s senior author, “We were able to reverse tumor growth by switching off the protein combination of c-Jun and Fra-2.” Additionally, the researchers discovered that tumor growth could be halted by blocking a specific gene (c-Myc). These findings suggest that the identified molecular signaling pathway represents a promising starting point for further research into HCC and the development of new therapeutic measures.

In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC development and offers new potential targets for therapeutic interventions. The team’s findings could lead to the development of more effective treatments for this aggressive and deadly cancer.

*Note:
1.  Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it