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A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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FGF/FGFR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Carcinogenesis to Recent Therapeutic Intervention

Yijun Wang1, Danfei Liu1, Tongyue Zhang1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Cancers
|April 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatments face challenges with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling offers new therapeutic avenues for liver cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
  • Current treatments like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show limited efficacy due to resistance and side effects.
  • Aberrant fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling is implicated in HCC development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of aberrant FGF/FGFR signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • To summarize the current status of HCC treatment focusing on FGF/FGFR pathways.
  • To provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting FGF/FGFR in HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on FGF/FGFR signaling in HCC.
  • Analysis of preclinical and clinical investigations of anti-FGF/FGFR therapies.
  • Synthesis of information on HCC initiation, development, and treatment.

Main Results:

  • FGF/FGFR signaling plays a crucial role in HCC initiation and progression.
  • Targeting FGF/FGFR pathways demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits in HCC.
  • Various multi-kinase inhibitors, pan-FGFR inhibitors, and selective FGFR inhibitors are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant FGF/FGFR signaling is a significant driver in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Targeted therapies against FGF/FGFR represent a promising strategy for HCC treatment.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize anti-FGF/FGFR therapies for HCC patients.
Keywords:
FGFFGFRHCCtargeted therapies

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