Is Notch Signaling a Specific Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma?

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2015;15(7):809-15. doi: 10.2174/1871520615666150202102809.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant cancers, with the second highest cancer death rate world-wide, next to lung cancer. The signaling mechanisms in HCC are currently not clear. Notch signaling, which is highly conserved and plays a critical role in many cancers, was found to be aberrantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues. Accumulating evidence supports that Notch signaling plays a significantly important role in HCC carcinogenesis. This review discusses the functions of Notch signaling in HCC and its potential therapeutic applications against this cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Niacinamide / therapeutic use
  • Phenylurea Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sorafenib
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Niacinamide
  • Valproic Acid
  • Doxorubicin
  • Sorafenib