Liver cancer (
hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) is increasing worldwide. About 75% of HCC cases result in death generally within one year. The factors responsible for the initiation and progression of HCC remain largely unknown and speculative, thereby impeding advancements in the development of effective therapeutic agents and
biomarkers for early detection of HCC. A consistent marked decrease in
zinc in HCC
tumors compared with normal liver is an established clinical relationship, which occurs in virtually all cases of HCC. However, this relationship has been largely ignored by the contemporary clinical and research community. Consequently, the factors and mechanisms involved in this relationship have not been addressed. Thus, the opportunity and potential for its employment as
biomarkers for early identification of
malignancy, and for development of a chemotherapeutic approach have been lacking. This presentation includes a review of the literature and the description of important recent and new data, which provide the basis for a concept of the role of
zinc in the development of HCC. The basis is presented for characterizing HCC
malignancy as ZIP14-deficient
tumors, and its requirement to prevent
zinc cytotoxic effects on the malignant cells. The potential for an efficacious
zinc treatment approach for HCC is described. The involvement of
zinc in the predisposition for HCC by chronic
liver disease/
cirrhosis is presented. Hopefully, this presentation will raise the awareness, interest, and support for the much needed research in the implications of
zinc in the development and progression of HCC.