title: Heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma contributes to cancer progression.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease displaying differences in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix proteins, the immune microenvironment and tumor cell populations. Additionally, genetic variations and epigenetic changes of HCC cells could lead to aberrant signaling pathways, induce cancer stem cells and enhance tumor progression. Thus, the heterogeneity in HCC contributes to disease progression and a better understanding of its heterogeneity will greatly aid in the development of strategies for the HCC treatment.
authors: Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: kevin.ksjeng@gmail.com.
authors: Kuo-Shyang
authors: KS
authors: Jeng
authors: Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors: Chiung-Fang
authors: CF
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, LinKou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
authors: Wen-Juei
authors: WJ
authors: Jeng
authors: Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, LinKou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
authors: I-Shyan
authors: IS
authors: Sheen
authors: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chi-Juei
authors: CJ
authors: Jeng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015398:Signal Transduction; D047368:Tumor Burden; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology
keywords: Angiogenesis; Cancer stem cells; Genetic variation; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Heterogeneity; Invasion; Signaling pathway; Tumor microenvironment