Advances in the Application of Methylation Markers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a globally prevalent malignancy characterized by high mortality rates, primarily attributed to diagnostic delays and inherent tumor aggressiveness. In recent years, epigenetic modifiers, particularly DNA and RNA methylation, have garnered significant attention as potent biomarkers for the early diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic monitoring of HCC. This review systematically delineates the foundational principles and molecular mechanisms underlying methylation dynamics, investigates the regulatory functions of methylation markers in critical biological processes, such as microvascular invasion, tissue infiltration, and metastatic dissemination in HCC, and synthesizes the latest advancements in the clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA/RNA (ctDNA/ctRNA) methylation signatures. With the ongoing innovations in detection methodologies, methylation-based biomarkers have emerged as indispensable components of precision oncology strategies for HCC management.