Hepatokines and adipokines in NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma
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Date
2020-11-05Author
Kucukoglu, Ozlem
Sowa, Jan Peter
Mazzolini, Guillermo
Syn, Wing-Kin
Canbay, Ali
Metadata
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Journal of Hepatology 74(2) : 442-457 (2020)
Abstract
Summary
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in industrialised societies; this is likely
secondary to the increasing burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its progressive form non-
alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the metabolic syndrome. Cumulative studies suggest that NAFLD-
related HCC may also develop in non-cirrhotic livers. However, prognosis and survival do not differ
between NAFLD- or virus-associated HCC. Thus, research has increasingly focused on NAFLD-related risk
factors to better understand the biology of hepatocarcinogenesis and to develop new diagnostic, pre-
ventive, and therapeutic strategies. One important aspect thereof is the role of hepatokines and adipo-
kines in NAFLD/NASH-related HCC. In this review, we compile current data supporting the use of
hepatokines and adipokines as potential markers of disease progression in NAFLD or as early markers of
NAFLD-related HCC. While much work must be done to elucidate the mechanisms and interactions
underlying alterations to hepatokines and adipokines, current data support the possible utility of these
factors
–
in particular, angiopoietin-like proteins,
fi
broblast growth factors, and apelin
–
for detection or
even as therapeutic targets in NAFLD-related HCC.