Role of Copper, Magnesium, and Zinc in Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cirrhosis

Altered copper homeostasis underlies sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma to copper chelation

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify a relationship between the expression of Cu transporter genes and prognosis in HCC patients. These results support previous studies that described Cu levels as significantly higher in both patient serum [22][23][24][25] and resected tumors. [26][27][28] Considering the trend of poorer diseasefree survival for HCC patients with altered Cu transporter copy number (Fig.…”

“…Case studies of patients with Wilson Disease, which harbor germline mutations in the gene encoding the P-type ATPase ATP7B, 13,14 demonstrate that persistently elevated levels of intracellular Cu impair liver function such that HCC results as a complication. [15][16][17][18] Beyond the extensive research from both Wilson disease patients and animals that supports a connection between excessive Cu accumulation and hepatobiliary malignancies, [19][20][21] multiple clinical investigations observed elevated serum [22][23][24][25] and intratumoral [26][27][28] Cu levels in liver cancer patients. Notably, Cu lies at a unique intersection between chemistry and biology, as Cu-driven redox chemistry is required for a multitude of biological programs.…”