Role of microRNAs in inflammation-associated liver cancer

Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC is a suitablemodel of inflammation-induced cancer because more than 90% of HCC cases are caused by liver damage and chronicinflammation. Several inflammatory response pathways, such as NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, play roles in thecrosstalk between inflammation and HCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, short endogenous, non-codingsingle-stranded RNAs that are involved in various biological and pathological processes by regulating gene expression and proteintranslation. Evidence showed that miRNAs play a pivotal role in hepatitis virus infection and serve as promoters or inhibitors ofinflammatory response. Aberrant miRNA was observed during liver inflammation and HCC. Many dysregulated miRNAsmodulate the initiation and progression of inflammation-induced HCC. This review summarizes the role and functions ofmiRNAs in inflammation-associated HCC, as well as the designed therapeutics targeting miRNAs to treat liver inflammation andHCC.