Transcriptome analysis creates a new era of precision medicine for managing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

The high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)recurrence negatively impacts outcomes of patients treated with curative intent despite advances in surgical techniques and other locoregional liver-targeting therapies.Over the past few decades,the emergence of transcriptome analysis tools,including real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR,microarrays,and RNA sequencing,has not only largely contributed to our knowledge about the pathogenesis of recurrent HCC but also led to the development of outcome prediction models based on differentially expressed gene signatures.In recent years,the single-cell RNA sequencing technique has revolutionized our ability to study the complicated crosstalk between cancer cells and the immune environment,which may benefit further investigations on the role of different immune cells in HCC recurrence and the identification of potential therapeutic targets.In the present article,we summarized the major findings yielded with these transcriptome methods within the framework of a causal model consisting of three domains:primary cancer cells;carcinogenic stimuli;and tumor microenvironment.We provided a comprehensive review of the insights that transcriptome analyses have provided into diagnostics,surveillance,and treatment of HCC recurrence.

Bioenergetic alteration in gastrointestinal cancers:The good,the bad and the ugly

Cancer cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming and bioenergetic alteration,utilizing glucose fermentation for energy production,known as the Warburg effect.However,there are a lack of comprehensive reviews summarizing the metabolic reprogramming,bioenergetic alteration,and their oncogenetic links in gastrointestinal(GI)cancers.Furthermore,the efficacy and treatment potential of emerging anticancer drugs targeting these alterations in GI cancers require further evaluation.This review highlights the interplay between aerobic glycolysis,the tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle,and oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)in cancer cells,as well as hypotheses on the molecular mechanisms that trigger this alteration.The role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors,tumor suppressors,and the oncogenetic link between hypoxia-related enzymes,bioenergetic changes,and GI cancer are also discussed.This review emphasizes the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for anti-cancer therapy,particularly for GI cancers.Emphasizing the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for GI cancer therapy,the review categorizes these regulators into aerobic glycolysis/lactate biosynthesis/transportation and TCA cycle/coupled OXPHOS.We also detail various anti-cancer drugs and strategies that have produced pre-clinical and/or clinical evidence in treating GI cancers,as well as the challenges posed by these drugs.Here we highlight that understanding dysregulated cancer cell bioenergetics is critical for effective treatments,although the diverse metabolic patterns present challenges for targeted therapies.Further research is needed to comprehend the specific mechanisms of inhibiting bioenergetic enzymes,address side effects,and leverage high-throughput multi-omics and spatial omics to gain insights into cancer cell heterogeneity for targeted bioenergetic therapies.