Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health issue in many countries. The prognosis of HCC is still poor due to its high recurrence rate and its resistance to
chemotherapy.
Retinoids have long been known to have a connection with
liver diseases, including HCC. Many experimental and clinical investigations have demonstrated associations between
retinoids and hepatic disease, including the loss of
retinoid activity in HCC cell lines and decreased hepatic
retinoid stores and altered
retinoid signaling in patients with
cirrhosis and HCC. Based on these findings, preclinical and clinical investigations of
retinoid effects on HCC have been undertaken. Recently, clinical trial results for the use of a synthetic
retinoid,
acyclic retinoid (ACR), to prevent HCC recurrence were published. In addition, extensive experimental studies on the action of
retinoids in
liver disease, including chronic viral
hepatitis and
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD), which lead to HCC have been performed. In the first section of this review, we will summarize the effectiveness and roles of
retinoid for treating
liver disease and blocking HCC. Subsequently, we will focus on ACR actions in blocking HCC.