Mitochondrial Signaling and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

Molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma is complex and implies a multistep process involving different genetic and epigenetic alterations, as well as altered molecular pathways. Among these features, oxidative stress and mitochondria dysfunction represent an important trigger to hepatocarcinogenesis regardless of underlying liver disease etiology. An important part of the actual cancer research is focused on the molecular mechanisms and the signaling pathways involved in the process of so called "mitochondrial malignancy".