title: The multiple origin of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 6% of all new cancer cases diagnosed, and due to its aggressiveness, it is the second most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Based on different etiological factors, genetic backgrounds, and longtime development of the disease, HCC is characterized by a high phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. Tumor variability occurs both among patients (intertumoral heterogeneity) and within a single tumor (intratumoral heterogeneity). The intratumoral heterogeneity, in particular the variability of the markers of cancer stem cells (CSC) population may determine specific behavior and prognosis of the tumor. Understanding the cellular mechanisms originating CSC will provide an important hint in the management of HCC. The characterization of the cells of origin of cancer can have significant implication in early diagnosis, in the development of appropriate therapies and in the prevention of relapse. Here, we review recent evidences on the possible cellular origin of CSC that play a role in the heterogeneity of the HCC.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, SS14km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: b.anfuso@csf.units.it.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anfuso
authors.affiliation: Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jl. Diponegoro 69, 10310 Jakarta, Indonesia; Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, NSW 2145, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Korri E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: El-Khobar
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, SS14km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Caecilia H C
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Sukowati
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, SS14km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tiribelli
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*