Authenticated Liver Cancer Cell Lines for Cancer Research

Amongst liver cancers, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing and has a high mortality rate. Chronic hepatitis B- or hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis is the leading risk factor for HCC. For reasons that are not entirely known, males may be three to five times more likely than females to develop HCC, the most common type of liver cancer. 83% of cases are diagnosed in less-developed countries, with the highest rates found in east and southeast Asia and in middle and western Africa; rates are lower in south-central and western Asia. The five-year survival rate is 31% for patients who are diagnosed at an early stage, but drops to 3% if cancer has metastasized to other tissues of the body.¹

Types of Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80% of all adult liver cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and angiosarcoma comprise 10-20% and 1% of liver cancer diagnoses, respectively.

Risk Factors

The major risk factor for liver cancer is exposure to hepatitis viruses and environmental pathogens. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for 60% of total liver cancer, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for 33%. Other risk factors include alcohol-related cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity.

Mutations

The most commonly mutated genes in liver cancer are TP53, CTNNB1, TERT, HNF1A, LRP1B, ARID1A, AXIN1, ARID2, KMT2C, and IL6ST.

Click on the genes (above) to find relevant products (antibodies, shRNA, siRNA, primers, CRISPR plasmids) for your research study.

Small Molecules/Monoclonal Antibodies

Small molecule compounds and antibodies can be used to target cancer cells and block tumor growth and progression.  The most common strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma is inhibition of angiogenesis signals.  Drugs used to target liver cancer include:

• Sorafenib Tosylate (Nexavar)
• Regorafenib (Stivarga)

Applications

Cancer cell lines are essential for cancer research, and provide an accessible, cost-effective model for cellular behavior and response. Based on cell phenotype and experimental need, cell lines have the potential for utility in multiple applications. Some examples of application-specific cell line use are included below.