Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children under five years of age. Although globally rare, it accounts for a large proportion of liver cancer in children and has poor survival rates in high-risk and metastatic cases. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms, diag...

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Main Authors: Ling Fan, Jintong Na, Tieliu Shi, Yuan Liao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Current Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/3/149
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author Ling Fan
Jintong Na
Tieliu Shi
Yuan Liao
author_facet Ling Fan
Jintong Na
Tieliu Shi
Yuan Liao
author_sort Ling Fan
collection DOAJ
description Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children under five years of age. Although globally rare, it accounts for a large proportion of liver cancer in children and has poor survival rates in high-risk and metastatic cases. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies of HB. Mutations in the CTNNB1 gene and the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are essential genetic factors. Furthermore, genetic syndromes like Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) considerably heighten the risk of associated conditions. Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and the influence of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are pivotal drivers of tumor development. Diagnostics include serum biomarkers, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and imaging techniques. Standard treatments are chemotherapy, surgical resection, and liver transplantation (LT). Emerging therapies like immunotherapy and targeted treatments offer hope against chemotherapy resistance. Future research will prioritize personalized medicine, novel biomarkers, and molecular-targeted therapies to improve survival outcomes.
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language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-6491ed4a383d47e7ad540601ba4d8aaf2025-08-20T02:42:42ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292025-03-0132314910.3390/curroncol32030149Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic StrategiesLing Fan0Jintong Na1Tieliu Shi2Yuan Liao3State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, ChinaHepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children under five years of age. Although globally rare, it accounts for a large proportion of liver cancer in children and has poor survival rates in high-risk and metastatic cases. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies of HB. Mutations in the CTNNB1 gene and the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are essential genetic factors. Furthermore, genetic syndromes like Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) considerably heighten the risk of associated conditions. Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and the influence of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are pivotal drivers of tumor development. Diagnostics include serum biomarkers, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and imaging techniques. Standard treatments are chemotherapy, surgical resection, and liver transplantation (LT). Emerging therapies like immunotherapy and targeted treatments offer hope against chemotherapy resistance. Future research will prioritize personalized medicine, novel biomarkers, and molecular-targeted therapies to improve survival outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/3/149hepatoblastomaWnt/β-catenin pathwaygeneticsepigeneticsimmunotherapytargeted therapy
spellingShingle Ling Fan
Jintong Na
Tieliu Shi
Yuan Liao
Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
Current Oncology
hepatoblastoma
Wnt/β-catenin pathway
genetics
epigenetics
immunotherapy
targeted therapy
title Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_full Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_fullStr Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_short Hepatoblastoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_sort hepatoblastoma from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies
topic hepatoblastoma
Wnt/β-catenin pathway
genetics
epigenetics
immunotherapy
targeted therapy
url https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/3/149
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AT jintongna hepatoblastomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeuticstrategies
AT tieliushi hepatoblastomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeuticstrategies
AT yuanliao hepatoblastomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeuticstrategies