Unraveling the multifaceted landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma evolution: From pivotal genetic drivers to therapeutic horizons

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a malignant tumor that poses a significant threat to human health, and its occurrence and development are a complex multi-stage process. This review delineates the critical factors implicated in the transition from normal hepatocytes to malignant liver cells, encompassing dysregulated signalling pathways, key oncogenes, associated non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), molecular alterations within the cellular microenvironment, spatial transcriptomic profiling, and advancements in anticancer therapies, thereby offering a comprehensive reference for elucidating HCC pathogenesis and formulating more targeted therapeutic approaches. Additionally, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of liver diseases are examined, including the identification of diagnostic biomarkers, the development of therapeutic modalities, and recent innovations in pharmacological interventions, thereby providing novel insights into liver disease progression and insights into the development of novel therapeutic strategies.