Targeting the inflammation in HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: a role in the prevention and treatment.
Epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that chronic inflammation induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. The interaction between hepatocytes and microenvironment regards virus, inflammatory and immunocompetent cells, chemo- and cyto-kines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), generating cell transformation. We suggest hepatocarcinoma (HCC) as a model in which the targeting of microenvironment determine neoplastic transformation. The present review focuses on: the role of inflammation in carcinogenesis, the clinical impact of HCC and the inadequacy of the actual therapy, the chemoprevention targeting the microenvironment.
Oncology Research Centre of Mercogliano (CROM), Mercogliano (AV), Italy. beppe.castello@gmail.com
Giuseppe
G
Castello
Susan
S
Costantini
Stefania
S
Scala
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018384:Oxidative Stress