Involvement of the circular RNA/microRNA/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase axis in the pathological mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide with high mortality. The incidence of HCC is increasing in China. Abnormal activation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) exists in all malignant tumors, including HCC, and is closely related to the development of HCC. In addition, the differential expression of non-coding RNAs is closely related to the development of HCC. This systematic review focuses on the relationship between G6PD, HCC, and non-coding RNA, which form the basis for the circRNA/miRNA/G6PD axis in HCC. The circular RNA (circRNA)/microRNA (miRNA)/G6PD axis is involved in development of HCC. We proposed that non-coding RNA molecules of the circRNA/miRNA/G6PD axis may be novel biomarkers for the pathological diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy of HCC.