Álvarez-Mercado, Ana I.Caballeria-Casals, AlbertRojano-Alfonso, CarlosChávez-Reyes, JesúsMicó-Carnero, MarcSanchez-Gonzalez, AlfredoCasillas-Ramírez, AraníGracia-Sancho, JordiPeralta, Carmen2022-11-212022-11-212021-09-04Álvarez-Mercado AI, Caballeria-Casals A, Rojano-Alfonso C, Chávez-Reyes J, Micó-Carnero M, Sanchez-Gonzalez A, et al. Insights into Growth Factors in Liver Carcinogenesis and Regeneration: An Ongoing Debate on Minimizing Cancer Recurrence after Liver Resection. Biomedicines. 2021 Sep 4;9(9):1158http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4376Hepatocellular carcinoma has become a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality throughout the world, and is of great concern. Currently used chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma lead to severe side effects, thus underscoring the need for further research to develop novel and safer therapies. Liver resection in cancer patients is routinely performed. After partial resection, liver regeneration is a perfectly calibrated response apparently sensed by the body's required liver function. This process hinges on the effect of several growth factors, among other molecules. However, dysregulation of growth factor signals also leads to growth signaling autonomy and tumor progression, so control of growth factor expression may prevent tumor progression. This review describes the role of some of the main growth factors whose dysregulation promotes liver tumor progression, and are also key in regenerating the remaining liver following resection. We herein summarize and discuss studies focused on partial hepatectomy and liver carcinogenesis, referring to hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and epidermal growth factor, as well as their suitability as targets in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, and given that drugs remain one of the mainstay treatment options in liver carcinogenesis, we have reviewed the current pharmacological approaches approved for clinical use or research targeting these factors.enAtribución 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Liver cancerLiver resectionGrowth factorsRegenerationHepatocyte growth factorInsulin-like growth factor-1Epidermal growth factorCarcinoma hepatocelularHepatectomíaPéptidos y proteínas de señalización intercelularRegeneraciónFactor de crecimiento de hepatocitoFactor I del crecimiento similar a la insulinaFactor de crecimiento epidérmicoMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms::Neoplasms by Site::Digestive System Neoplasms::Liver Neoplasms::Carcinoma, HepatocellularMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Surgical Procedures, Operative::Digestive System Surgical Procedures::HepatectomyMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms::Neoplasms by Site::Digestive System Neoplasms::Liver NeoplasmsMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Digestive System and Oral Physiological Phenomena::Digestive System Physiological Phenomena::Digestive System Processes::Liver RegenerationMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Cytokines::Hepatocyte Growth FactorMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms::Neoplastic Processes::CarcinogenesisMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::SomatomedinsMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Biological Factors::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Epidermal Growth Factorreview article34572344open access10.3390/biomedicines90911582227-9059PMC8470173