Role of the tissue microenvironment as a therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is difficult to treat, primarily because the underlying molecular mechanisms driving clinical outcome are still poorly understood. Growing evidence suggests that the tissue microenvironment has a role in the biological behavior of the tumor. The main clinical issue is to identify the best target for therapeutic approaches. Here, we discuss the hypothesis that the entire tissue microenvironment might be considered as a biological target. However, the tissue microenvironment consists of several cellular and biochemical components, each of which displays a distinct biological activity. We discuss the major components of this environment and consider how they may interact to promote tumor/host crosstalk.
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Bhavna
B
Rani
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Yuan
Y
Cao
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Andrea
A
Malfettone
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Ciprian
C
Tomuleasa
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Isabel
I
Fabregat
Bhavna Rani, Yuan Cao, Gianluigi Giannelli, Department of Medical Biosciences and Human Oncology, Padiglione Semeiotica Medica, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Gianluigi
G
Giannelli
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D009154:Mutation; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment; D000097794:Kalinin
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000097794:Kalinin
Cancer stem cells; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Laminin-5; Target therapy; Therapy; Tissue microenvironment; Transforming growth factor-beta