Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating Liver Cancer Pathogenesis Using Patient-Derived Organoids
07:25

Author Spotlight: Investigating Liver Cancer Pathogenesis Using Patient-Derived Organoids

Published on: August 18, 2023

2.6K

Dysregulation of growth factor signaling in human hepatocellular carcinoma

K Breuhahn1, T Longerich, P Schirmacher

  • 1Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Oncogene
|June 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Dysregulated growth factor pathways, including IGF-1, HGF, Wnt, and TGF, drive liver cancer (HCC) progression. Targeting these pathways offers new therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Pleiotropic growth factors and their signaling pathways are crucial in human hepatocarcinogenesis.
  • Key pathways involved include Insulin-like Growth Factor/IGF-1 receptor (IGF/IGF-1R), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF/MET), Wingless (Wnt/beta-catenin/FZD), Transforming Growth Factor alpha/Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (TGFalpha/EGFR), and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta/TbetaR).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review critical alterations in major signaling pathways in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).
  • To highlight the contribution of these pathways to tumor cell proliferation, survival, and invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on signaling pathway alterations in human HCC.
  • Analysis of cross-talk between different signaling pathways and other tumor factors like cyclooxygenase-2 and p53.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulation of IGF/IGF-1R, HGF/MET, Wnt, TGFalpha/EGFR, and TGFbeta/TbetaR pathways are central to HCC development.
  • Functional effects are modulated by pathway cross-talks and factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 and p53.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding these pathway alterations is key to developing targeted therapies for HCC.
  • Strategies like receptor kinase inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies are under development for improved systemic treatment of HCC.

More Related Videos

A "Patient-Like" Orthotopic Syngeneic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis05:06

A "Patient-Like" Orthotopic Syngeneic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis

Published on: October 24, 2015

12.9K
Generation of Subcutaneous and Intrahepatic Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Xenografts in Immunodeficient Mice10:35

Generation of Subcutaneous and Intrahepatic Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Xenografts in Immunodeficient Mice

Published on: September 25, 2013

37.2K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity01:28

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity

Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration in a solution. It plays a critical role in determining water availability for organisms. Water moves across semipermeable membranes through osmosis, flowing from regions of lower solute concentration (more dilute) to regions of higher solute concentration (more concentrated).In high-solute environments, microbial cells lose water, leading to dehydration and inhibited growth. The extent to which water is available to microbes in such environments...
967
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature01:27

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature

Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...
1.4K
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH01:29

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH

Microorganisms are classified as acidophiles, neutrophiles, or alkaliphiles based on their pH growth preferences, reflecting their adaptations to specific environments. Maintaining a stable intracellular pH is critical for macromolecular stability and enzymatic activity, which can be challenged by external pH variations.Neutrophiles, such as Escherichia coli, grow optimally between pH 5.5 and 8.0. These microorganisms inhabit neutral or slightly acidic environments and employ mechanisms like...
1.3K
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
4.0K
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.9K
Population Growth00:57

Population Growth

Population size is dynamic, increasing with birth rates and immigration, and decreasing with death rates and emigration. In ideal conditions with unlimited resources, populations can increase exponentially, which plots as a J-shaped growth rate curve of population size against time. This type of curve is characteristic of newly-introduced invasive species, or populations that have suffered catastrophic declines and are rebounding.
28.7K