Activator protein-1 in liver pathology: from precancerous diseases to hepatocellular carcinoma

Activator protein 1 (AP-1) is a family of transcription factors composed of Jun, Fos, activating transcription factor (ATF), and musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (MAF) homodimers and heterodimers that regulate diverse cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, survival, and migration. Accordingly, AP-1 plays an essential role in several diseases including cancer. During liver cancer development, AP-1 abnormal activation has been implicated from cancer initiation to cancer progression. This review aims to provide a current integrative understanding of the role of AP-1 in liver carcinogenesis and suggests potential settings for its clinical use in diagnosis and treatment. Novel AP-1-based therapeutic approaches deserve further investigation and clinical application for the benefit of liver cancer patients.