Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of inhibiting cancer cells by exposing the cancer cells to a purinergic receptor antagonist that targets one or more purinergic receptors of the cancer cells. The targeted purinergic receptors can include P2 purinergic receptors, such as P2X purinergic receptor subtypes (e.g., P2X3 or P2X5) and P2Y purinergic receptor subtypes (e.g., P2Y2). In some embodiments, the inhibited cancer cells are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. In additional embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject by administering a purinergic receptor antagonist to the subject such that the antagonist targets one or more purinergic receptors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the subject is a human being suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma.