Relationship between Autoimmunity and Cancer or Metabolic Abnormality in Liver Diseases

Recent advances in the serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries and proteomic analysis have enabled the identification of numerous kinds of novel autoantigens, especially tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The emergence of antibodies to TAAs might imply that an autoimmune response was involved in the malignant transformation. These autoantibodies to TAAs often have predictive value as well as diagnostic relevance. Similarly, the relationship between autoimmunity and metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, has been also documented. Metabolic abnormalities are frequently associated with autoimmune diseases. In contrast, autoimmune reactions were occasionally involved in the process of metabolic dysregulation. This review primarily focuses on the current trends for the relationship between autoimmunity and cancer or metabolic abnormalities in liver disease and the current interpretations of autoantibodies in those diseases.