Abstract
SummaryThe intestinal microbiota seems to play a key role in many gastrointestinal, pancreatic and liver disorders. Dysbiosis, a substantial alteration in the intestinal microbiome, is associated with chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy individuals. These findings were shown in several preclinical and clinical studies and were most distinct in the stage of cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its underlying diseases is still not completely understood: Bacteria and related metabolites and pro-inflammatory signals may be involved. Several animal and human studies have focused on the role of intestinal microbiota in HCC. Here a key role of the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis could be addressed, whereby the abundance of pro-inflammatory intestinal species is increased. Additionally, some studies could demonstrate a decrease of butyrate-producing species and other species known for their anti-inflammatory potential. Furthermore, multiple preclinical studies could demonstrate that the intestinal microbiota is a key player in hepatocarcinogenesis. The intestinal microbiota seems to interact with the central pathways of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy developing from underlying chronic liverThe understanding of genetically associated HCC development changed completely through genome wide association studies (GWAS)
The intestinal microbiota and its alterations are strongly associated with chronic liver disease (CLD) and the development of HCC
Dysbiosis leads to an impaired intestinal barrier that enhances toll like receptor (TLR)-mediated chronic liver inflammation and, second, altered and potentially pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites are promoted by an impaired intestinal barrier
Summary
Received: 31 January 2020 / Accepted: 18 March 2020 / Published online: 15 April 2020. Summary The intestinal microbiota seems to play a key role in many gastrointestinal, pancreatic and liver disorders. A substantial alteration in the intestinal microbiome, is associated with chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy individuals. These findings were shown in several preclinical and clinical studies and were most distinct in the stage of cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its underlying diseases is still not completely understood: Bacteria and related metabolites and pro-inflammatory signals may be involved. Several animal and human studies have focused on the role of intestinal microbiota in HCC. Multiple preclinical studies could demonstrate that the intestinal microbiota is a key player in hepatocarcinogenesis. The intestinal microbiota seems to interact with the central pathways of hepatocarcinogenesis
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