MOUSE MODEL OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer worldwide and accounts for three out of every four cases of primary liver cancer. HCC is the fifth most common cancer worldwide with a global incidence of one million cases each year. Although less common in the US than Asia and Africa, where HCC is the most common cancer in some countries, global incidence is increasing with the US having a three-fold increase in the last decade. This trend is especially alarming due to the poor prognosis associated with HCC. The overall five-year relative survival rate from liver cancer is about 7%, with the only curative options being surgery or liver transplantation. Alternative treatments include embolization, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy; however, liver cancer does not respond favorably to most currently available chemotherapeutic agents and doxorubicin and cisplatin remain the most effective agents. The increasing incidence of HCC, poor survival rate, and lack of treatment options necessitate the development of better treatments for HCC. A mouse model of HCC has been created, and validated, which closely mimics the development of HCC in patients and will be an important tool for the development of new therapeutics. Todd Pazdera todd.pazdera@ucsf.edu 415-502-1636