Deciphering the role of Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: A narrative review
4 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied health Sciences (FRAHS), Riphah International University, Rawalpindi.
- 2Government College University, Lahore
- 3Dept of Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi.
- 4Medical Laboratory Technology. University of Southern Punjab Multan.
Abstract
The liver cancer especially the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant health burden worldwide as it is a disease with high incidence, late diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Hepatitis B and C infection, cirrhosis, and metabolic disorders are chronic liver diseases that play a major role in the development of HCC. Recent developments in the field of molecular biology have emphasized the significance of genetic and epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of HCC. These include Krüppel-like factors (KLFs), a family of zinc finger transcription factors that have been found to be important regulators of cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and metabolism. This review is conferred to KLF polymorphisms, especially KLF6 and KLF15, and their role in the molecular pathogenesis of liver cancer. It has been indicated that KLF expression and activity changes aid tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis by affecting key signalling pathways including Wnt/ 2 -catenin, TERT, and TP53. KLF polymorphisms can disrupt the regulatory functions of KLF leading to enhanced growth, reduction in death and metastasis. In addition, these genetic mutations have potential applications as early diagnostic, prognostic, and risk markers for HCC. The study also reviews therapeutic strategies targeting the KLF pathway using approaches such as gene therapy, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and drug targeting. While the findings are encouraging, there are some remaining issues, including conflicting study findings, lack of functional analyses, and genetic diversity. In general, knowledge of the role of KLF polymorphisms can offer useful information on the biology of liver cancer and some new opportunities in the field of personalized diagnosis and targeted treatment, which may lead to better clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.
Related
- GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal cancer in a French population: Different pattern of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma
- MUTYH knockdown suppresses the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and modulates their response to chemotherapy
- B Cell Deficiency Protects Against the Development of c‐MET and Beta‐Catenin Driven Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice
- Thymidylate synthase expression identifies hepatocellular carcinoma vulnerable to fluoropyrimidine-based therapy
- SLC35A3 remodels site-specific N-glycosylation and defines a druggable glycosylation target in hepatocellular carcinoma
BibTeX
@article{bibi2026deciphering,
title = {{Deciphering the role of Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: A narrative review}},
author = {Humaira Bibi and Zainab Nisar Qureshi and Nida Tariq and Iqra Zareef and Ali Haider},
journal = {NUST Journal of Natural Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.53992/njns.v11i3.349},
url = {https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v11i3.349},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Deciphering the role of Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: A narrative review
AU - Humaira Bibi
AU - Zainab Nisar Qureshi
AU - Nida Tariq
AU - Iqra Zareef
AU - Ali Haider
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - NUST Journal of Natural Sciences
DO - 10.53992/njns.v11i3.349
UR - https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v11i3.349
AB - The liver cancer especially the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant health burden worldwide as it is a disease with high incidence, late diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Hepatitis B and C infection, cirrhosis, and metabolic disorders are chronic liver diseases that play a major role in the development of HCC. Recent developments in the field of molecular biology have emphasized the significance of genetic and epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of HCC. These include Krüppel-like factors (KLFs), a family of zinc finger transcription factors that have been found to be important regulators of cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and metabolism. This review is conferred to KLF polymorphisms, especially KLF6 and KLF15, and their role in the molecular pathogenesis of liver cancer. It has been indicated that KLF expression and activity changes aid tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis by affecting key signalling pathways including Wnt/ 2 -catenin, TERT, and TP53. KLF polymorphisms can disrupt the regulatory functions of KLF leading to enhanced growth, reduction in death and metastasis. In addition, these genetic mutations have potential applications as early diagnostic, prognostic, and risk markers for HCC. The study also reviews therapeutic strategies targeting the KLF pathway using approaches such as gene therapy, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and drug targeting. While the findings are encouraging, there are some remaining issues, including conflicting study findings, lack of functional analyses, and genetic diversity. In general, knowledge of the role of KLF polymorphisms can offer useful information on the biology of liver cancer and some new opportunities in the field of personalized diagnosis and targeted treatment, which may lead to better clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.
SN - 2072-4659
SN - 2710-222X
ER -