Multiple Roles of the RUNX Gene Family in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Potential Clinical Implications

Milena Krajnović; Bojana Kožik; Ana Božović; Snežana Jovanović-Ćupić

doi:10.3390/cells12182303

Multiple Roles of the RUNX Gene Family in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Potential Clinical Implications

Cells. 2023 Sep 19;12(18):2303. doi: 10.3390/cells12182303.

Authors

Milena Krajnović¹, Bojana Kožik¹, Ana Božović¹, Snežana Jovanović-Ćupić¹

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Vinča, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers in humans, characterised by a high resistance to conventional chemotherapy, late diagnosis, and a high mortality rate. It is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. The Runt-related (RUNX) family of transcription factors (RUNX1, RUNX2, and RUNX3) participates in cardinal biological processes and plays paramount roles in the pathogenesis of numerous human malignancies. Their role is often controversial as they can act as oncogenes or tumour suppressors and depends on cellular context. Evidence shows that deregulated RUNX genes may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis from the earliest to the latest stages. In this review, we summarise the topical evidence on the roles of RUNX gene family members in HCC. We discuss their possible application as non-invasive molecular markers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and development of novel treatment strategies in HCC patients.

Keywords: RUNX; biomarkers; hepatocellular carcinoma; oncogenes; tumour suppressors.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carcinogenesis
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
Dwarfism*
Humans
Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
Oncogenes

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia (Reg. No: 451-03-47/2023-01/200017) under the Research Theme “Molecular alterations as prognostic and predictive markers in human malignant tumours”—No.0802303.