Steatotic Shadows: The Dark Link Between Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Cancer Risk

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has become a worldwide health crisis. In addition to its effects on liver function, MASLD intensely increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a number of extrahepatic cancers, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. This review explores the complex network of molecular pathways linking MASLD to cancer, emphasizing the involvement of oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic variations in important genes, including PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7, increase this risk by hastening the course of the disease and making a person more susceptible to cancer. By shedding light on these important pathways and genetic factors, this research not only advances knowledge of the relationship between MASLD and cancer but also opens the door for novel treatment approaches meant to reduce the risk of cancer in MASLD patients. Millions of people afflicted by this deadly but silent illness may benefit from novel therapies that target these fundamental systems.