Fig. 2: Chronic inflammation of the liver and its pathological development.

Hepatitis progresses to liver cancer. Initially, virus invasion, alcohol accumulation, and lack of fat consumption can lead to liver damage and inflammation. Inflammation can also be caused by pyroptosis of liver cells. In this stage, immune surveillance can effectively prevent the deterioration of inflammation. However, if inflammation is not controlled, it can further damage liver function, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma, stimulation of pyroptosis in liver cancer cells can enhance the immune response to a certain extent. In brief, the numbers of NK cells, macrophages, B lymphocytes, T cells, and other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment increase, and the levels of immune-stimulating molecules, such as IL-2, IL-12, IL-33, TNF-α, TNF-β, and IFN-γ, also increase. Combinations of chemotherapy drugs can kill more tumor cells and relieve disease symptoms.