The present disclosure concerns the A3 adenosine receptor agonist, 2-Chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide (Cl-IB-MECA) in an amount of at least about 10 mg/day, for use in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present invention also provides Cl-IB-MECA for use in maintenance of liver function in a subject having a chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis. The liver function is considered as maintained if level of at least one physiological parameter indicative of liver function is essentially constant between two or more time points, i.e. the difference between the two time points does not exceed a medically acceptable tolerance.
