Therapeutic blockade of ER stress and inflammation prevents NASH and progression to HCC

Sci Adv. 2023 Sep 15;9(37):eadh0831. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0831. Epub 2023 Sep 13.

Abstract

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly rising largely because of increased obesity leading to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a known HCC risk factor. There are no approved treatments to treat NASH. Here, we first used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to characterize a mouse model that mimics human NASH-driven HCC, the MUP-uPA mouse fed a high-fat diet. Activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation was observed in a subset of hepatocytes that was enriched in mice that progress to HCC. We next treated MUP-uPA mice with the ER stress inhibitor BGP-15 and soluble gp130Fc, a drug that blocks inflammation by preventing interleukin-6 trans-signaling. Both drugs have progressed to phase 2/3 human clinical trials for other indications. We show that this combined therapy reversed NASH and reduced NASH-driven HCC. Our data suggest that these drugs could provide a potential therapy for NASH progression to HCC.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / prevention & control
  • Hepatocytes
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / etiology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / drug therapy