From:  The dual role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in hepatocellular carcinoma: mechanisms, clinical relevance, and therapeutic opportunities

 Core Nrf2-regulated pathways in HCC

Functional categoryRepresentative genesMechanism of action in HCCReference
Antioxidant defenseHO-1, NQO1, GCLCReduce ROS-mediated damage, promote tumor cell survival[10]
DetoxificationUGT1A1, GSTP1Metabolize chemotherapeutic agents, confer drug resistance[16]
MetabolismGLUT1, LDHA, CPT1ADrive glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation for energy/biosynthesis[11]
Cell survivalBcl-2, XIAP, c-MycInhibit apoptosis, enhance proliferative signaling[14]
Stemness & EMTSOX2, OCT4, SnailMaintain CSC self-renewal, promote metastatic potential[20]

CSC: cancer stem cell; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; Nrf2: nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; ROS: reactive oxygen species