Taurohyocholic acid

Taurohyocholic acid (THCA sodium salt) is a taurine binding type of bile acid formed by the combination of bile acid and taurine through amide bonds. After synthesis in the liver, it is secreted along with bile. Its sodium salt form has good water solubility due to the enhanced polar group. As an important component of the bile acid pool, THCA is involved in lipid digestion and absorption as well as the regulation of liver-intestinal axis metabolism. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research, THCA has been confirmed as a potential predictor for evaluating resistance to the combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Tkis) and PD-1 inhibitors - when tumors develop resistance to the combination therapy, serum THCA levels may show characteristic fluctuations. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the immune microenvironment mediated by bile acid receptors (such as FXR and TGR5) or the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells.