The Role of Complement in Liver Cancer
Abstract
This project explores the role of the complement cascade in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and the incidence may be up to five times higher among U.S. veterans than in the general population.Chronic inflammatory diseases of the liver, such as hepatitis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are strongly associated with an increased risk of HCC, and a large body of literature shows that the complement system is activated in these diseases (1-5). The association of inflammatory liver diseases with HCC suggests that prolonged inflammation directly contributes to tumor formation. The underlying mechanisms of this are incompletely understood, however, limiting our ability to prevent HCC in at-risk patients. Based on our recent work, we believe that complement inhibitory drugs may be effective for reducing liver inflammation and preventing and/or treating HCC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1216888
Entities
People
- Joshua Thurman
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder