Liver Inflammation and Hepatobiliary Cancers

Immune regulation has an important role in cancer development, particularly in organs with continuous exposure to environmental pathogens, such as the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Chronic liver inflammation can lead to the development of hepatobiliary cancers, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), or combined HCC (cHCC)-CCA. In this review, we discuss the link between oxidative stress and the hepatic immune compartments, as well as how these factors trigger hepatocyte damage, proliferation, and eventually cancer initiation and its sustainment. We further give an overview of new anticancer therapies based on immunomodulation.

Automated summary

Immune regulation plays a crucial role in cancer development, especially in organs like the liver and gastrointestinal tract that are constantly exposed to environmental pathogens. Chronic liver inflammation can lead to hepatobiliary cancers, including HCC, iCCA, and cHCC-CCA. This review discusses the relationship between oxidative stress, immune response in the liver, hepatocyte damage, proliferation, and the initiation and sustainment of cancer, as well as new anticancer therapies based on immunomodulation.