Coffee, Traditional Chinese Medicine and cannabinoids as potential tools for prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

In the last decade, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is growing in both Europe and United States. Conventional therapies such as liver resection, transplantation, ablation, chemoembolization and sorafenib are not enough to avoid a significant mortality. Many studies suggested the positive effect of caffeine for prevention of HCC. Nevertheless, the amount of therapeutic caffeine and the high-dose safety are unknown. Many authors proposed Traditional Chinese Medicine as preventive and/or curative approach. Although it reveals limits such as the uncertain safety profile and the lack of evidence about a unique product, it shows interesting results in terms of survival and quality of life if given in combination with standard loco-regional therapy. Among the future promises, cannabinoids show interesting background mechanisms of blocking cell proliferation and neoangiogenesis. It is conceivable that in the next years, some natural products may have a role in improving the standards of care of HCC.

Keywords

Hepatocellular carcinoma / caffeine / Traditional Chinese Medicine / cannabinoids

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