Role of lymphocytes in liver cancer

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically occurs in patients with chronic inflammatory liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis or (non-)alcoholic steatohepatitis. Inflammation appears indeed as a crucial factor in hepatocarcinogenesis. Nevertheless, sophisticated animal models and studies of human samples revealed that the HCC also elicits antitumor immune responses. Patrolling and infiltrating lymphocytes (e.g., NKT and T cells, respectively) can exert decisive functions in the transition from chronic hepatic inflammation to cancer as well as in antitumor immune responses. An improved understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby inflammation promotes or restricts hepatocarcinogenesis will open new avenues for therapeutic approaches to liver cancer.

Keywords: :

• DEN
• HCC
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• liver fibrosis
• NKT cells

Citation: Mossanen J, Tacke F. Role of lymphocytes in liver cancer. OncoImmunology 2013; 2:e26468; 10.4161/onci.26468

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

The authors disclose no competing interests.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG Ta434/2–1 and SFB/TRR57) and by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Aachen. We gratefully acknowledge the expert discussions with Prof. Tom Luedde (Aachen, Germany) and all members of the Tacke lab.