Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains the predominant type of primary liver cancer and is of multifactorial aetiology, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral components. Protheragen is a leading services provider in the field of study on the complex interplay of iron metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma and offers all-inclusive and propulsive research and development services aimed at enhancing advancements in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, therapeutics, disease modeling, and preclinical studies.
Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the primary liver cancer and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Over the next decade, the mortality rate from hepatocellular carcinoma is expected to rise. Hepatocellular carcinoma is also highly heterogeneous at the molecular and cellular levels. Some of the risk factors include infection with Hepatitis B and C, alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Whatever the cause may be, the result is liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which then progresses to carcinoma.
Fig.1 Key regulators and pathways of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. (Chatzikalil, E., et al., 2025)
Iron Metabolism Abnormalities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Dietary, environmental, or genetic factors can lead to systemic iron overload, which greatly enhances the risk of tumorigenesis. Specifically, iron overload in the liver can directly or indirectly induce carcinogenesis. An example of direct iron-induced carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma is an animal model study where hepatocellular carcinoma developed on an iron-rich diet without fibrosis or cirrhosis. Free iron can cause mutations, is hepatocarcinogenic, and causes oxidative damage through the formation of ROS.
Therapeutics Development for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
The possible functions of iron metabolism as a new therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma involve iron depletion, altering hepcidin production, or aiming at ferroptosis.
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
| Deferasirox | Prevents the proliferation of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest while sustaining hepcidin expression. | Iron overload | Preclinical |
| Ferrostatin-1 | Promotes ferritin degradation, lipid peroxidation, and subsequent ferroptosis. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
| Anti-HJV Antibodies | Prevents hepcidin expression, thus stopping the hepcidin and ferroportin interaction. | Hepcidin | Preclinical |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Controls ferroptosis by managing oxidative stress and the activities of enzymes responsible for cellular antioxidants. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a therapy plan recommendation. For guidance on therapy options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Drawing from our in-depth knowledge of iron metabolism, we provide a comprehensive, one-stop proprietary therapeutic solution for hepatocellular carcinoma, aimed at supporting the academic and scientific community from discovery up to preclinical validation. Our services include diagnostics, therapeutics, disease modeling, and preclinical research of iron metabolism-related disorders. In addition, we conduct detailed pharmacokinetic analysis and comprehensive safety evaluations to elucidate a drug’s behavior in the body and its safety profile.
Therapeutic Development Services
- Small Molecule Drug Development
- Cell Therapy Development
- Gene Therapy Development
- Therapeutic Antibody Development
- Therapeutic Peptide Development
- Therapeutic Protein Development
Animal Model Development Services for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
For assessing the effectiveness and safety of new therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma, the preclinical animal models play an important role. We offer a complete suite of animal model development services for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Genetically Engineered Models
These models are created by specifically altering genes in mice, such as introducing oncogenes, to spontaneously develop liver tumors that mimic human hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
- Hepatitis virus transgenic model
- HBx transgenic model
- GNMT knockout model
- Mdr2 knockout model
Chemical-induced Models
These models are developed by giving some hepatocarcinogenic substances to the animals, which results in liver damage, inflammation, and the later development of tumors.
- Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced model
- Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced model
- Thioacetamide-induced model
- Phenobarbital (PB)-induced model
Xenograft Models
In xenograft models, the tumors are created by the implantation of tumor tissue or by the injection of cultured human cancer cells into the host mouse.
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Pharmacokinetic Research Services
- Pharmacokinetic Research Services
- Physiochemical Studies
- In Vitro Metabolism Studies
- In Vitro Permeability and Transporter Studies
- Drug Absorption Studies
- Quantitative Tissue Distribution Studies
- Bioavailability Studies
- Metabolite Profiling and Identification Studies
- Mass Balance Studies
- Biliary Excretion Studies
Protheragen is transforming understanding and enabling effective therapeutic development for hepatocellular carcinoma by integrating state-of-the-art research in iron metabolism with comprehensive services for researchers and scientists. Ready to accelerate your hepatocellular carcinoma research? Reach out today and talk about how our specialized services can help your projects.
References
- Chatzikalil, Elena et al. "Hepatic Iron Overload and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Insights into Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches." Cancers 17.3 (2025): 392.
- Paganoni, Rossana et al. "Iron at the Interface of Hepatocellular Carcinoma." International journal of molecular sciences 22.8 (2021): 4097.