Gender Differences in the Pathogenesis and Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Overview

Journal Biology (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2023 Jul 29

PMID 37508414

Authors

Riccardo Nevola

Giovanni Tortorella

Valerio Rosato

Luca Rinaldi

Simona Imbriani

Pasquale Perillo

Davide Mastrocinque

Marco La Montagna

Antonio Russo

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Maria Alfano

Maria Rocco

Carmen Ricozzi

Klodian Gjeloshi

Ferdinando Carlo Sasso

Raffaele Marfella

Aldo Marrone

Loreta Anesti Kondili

Nicolino Esposito

Ernesto Claar

Domenico Cozzolino

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Several chronic liver diseases are characterized by a clear gender disparity. Among them, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows significantly higher incidence rates in men than in women. The different epidemiological distribution of risk factors for liver disease and HCC only partially accounts for these gender differences. In fact, the liver is an organ with recognized sexual dysmorphism and is extremely sensitive to the action of androgens and estrogens. Sex hormones act by modulating the risk of developing HCC and influencing its aggressiveness, response to treatments, and prognosis. Furthermore, androgens and estrogens are able to modulate the action of other factors and cofactors of liver damage (e.g., chronic HBV infection, obesity), significantly influencing their carcinogenic power. The purpose of this review is to examine the factors related to the different gender distribution in the incidence of HCC as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, with particular reference to the central role played by sex hormones.

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