STARD1 promotes NASH-driven HCC by sustaining the generation of bile acids through the alternative mitochondrial pathway

•Human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis-driven HCC tissue specimens exhibit increased STARD1 expression. •STARD1 overexpression promotes, whereas STARD1 ablation curtails, NASH-driven HCC. •STARD1 stimulates bile acid synthesis through activation of the alternative mitochondrial pathway. •Bile acids stimulate pluripotency, stemness and inflammation-related genes in tumour-initiating stem-like cells. Background & Aims Besides...