Oxidative Stress as a Mechanism for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

More than 700,000 new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed every year in the world. Many different etiological factors can induce hepatic damage and promote the hepatocarcinogenic process. Among virus infections, metabolic disorder, or genetic mutation, the mechanisms underlying these processes are heterogeneous, but inflammation and oxidative stress seem to be a common pattern. Indeed, chronic oxidative stress in the hepatic parenchyma induces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other radicals that react with lipids, protein, and even DNA. The alteration of the normal cellular functions, the activation of different pathways, the epigenetic alteration, and the direct and indirect induction of genetic mutation are all effects of the oxidative stress; all of these generate a favorable environment for the carcinogenic process.