Abstract

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a serious health issue and its frequency is rapidly escalating throughout the world therefore researchers have focused more attention to the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. The signaling pathways are linked to develop tumors and the Ras/MAPK pathway is one of these pathways, activated in 60% of HCCs with poor prognosis. A number of different proteins causes the abnormal regulation of the MAPK pathway in HCC. Ras, a small GTPase and Raf are the most commonly mutated oncogene supports the critical function of this pathway in oncogenesis. The genetic mutations leading to effector molecule to permanently activated in the Ras/MAPK signaling cascades. The inappropriate activation of this pathway is primarily due to the downregulation of various Ras/MAPK pathway inhibitors including RASSF proteins, GAPs, DUSP1, Spred and Sprouty proteins. The post-transcriptional or epigenetic processes downregulate these cancer suppressor genes. The aim of current study on the primary mutations resulting in aberrant activation of Ras/MAPK pathway and their role on the initiation and progression of HCC. It also offers an update on the various inhibitors to target this central signaling pathway including various Ras, Raf, MEK inhibitors in the context of HCC. Finally, we evaluate the available options for treatment in this context.

Keywords:Hepatocellular carcinoma; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; Oncogenes; Tumor suppressor genes; Multikinase inhibitors; Immunotherapy