Pathological and Therapeutic Roles of Bile Acid Metabolism and Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights from Human and Mouse Studies

Bile acids (BAs), the end products of cholesterol catabolism, play a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes. Defects in BA synthetic enzymes and transporters cause rare monogenic diseases. Dysregulation of BA homeostasis contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of various liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. BA profiles are altered in patients with HCC and in mouse models of HCC, and their diagnostic potential is currently under clinical investigation. Growing evidence suggests that BA metabolism and signaling regulate key processes involved in HCC development. Recent advances in understanding the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and BAs have provided new insights into HCC. In this review, we summarize the current literature on BA quantification, detoxification, synthesis, transport, signaling functions, and the interplay between BAs and bacteria in the pathogenesis and progression of HCC, particularly in patients with HCC and mouse models. Furthermore, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting BA metabolism and signaling as promising approaches for HCC treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Bile acids hold promise as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Modulating bile acid metabolism and signaling pathways represents a promising novel strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.