The Complex Relationship between Liver Cancer and the Cell Cycle: A Story of Multiple Regulations

Abstract

The liver acts as a hub for metabolic reactions to keep a homeostatic balance during development and growth. The process of liver cancer development, although poorly understood, is related to different etiologic factors like toxins, alcohol, or viral infection. At the molecular level, liver cancer is characterized by a disruption of cell cycle regulation through many molecular mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying the lack of regulation of the cell cycle during liver cancer, focusing mainly on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We also provide a brief summary of novel therapies connected to cell cycle regulation.

Keywords

• cell cycle
• cancer
• liver
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• cyclin-dependent kinases
• CKI
• cyclins