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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and cancer-associated myofibroblasts are key players in liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors contributes to HCC development and progression. This study aimed to elucidate the role of FGFs in the HSC-HCC crosstalk. Analysis of the expression of the fifteen paracrine FGF-members revealed that FGF9 was only expressed by HSC but not by HCC cells. Also in human HCC tissues, HSC/stromal myofibroblasts were identified as cellular source of FGF9. High expression levels of FGF9 significantly correlated with poor patient survival. Stimulation with recombinant FGF9 induced ERK- and JNK-activation combined with significantly enhanced proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of HCC cells. Moreover, FGF9 significantly reduced the sensitivity of HCC cells against sorafenib. Protumorigenic effects of FGF9 on HCC cells were almost completely abrogated by the FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor BGJ398, while the selective FGFR4 inhibitor BLU9931 had no significant effect. In conclusion, these data indicate that stroma-derived FGF9 promotes tumorigenicity and sorafenib resistance of HCC cells and FGF9 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Herewith, FGF9 appears as potential prognostic marker and novel therapeutic target in HCC.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61510-4 | DOI Listing |
Clin J Gastroenterol
September 2025
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan.
Hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH), also known as hepatic pseudolymphoma, is a rare benign condition that predominantly affects middle-aged-to-elderly women and is often associated with autoimmune disorders. The imaging features of hepatic RLH frequently mimic those of malignant hepatic tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma, or metastatic liver tumors, making its diagnosis based solely on imaging modalities challenging, often leading to unnecessary surgical resection. However, the optimal diagnostic strategy for hepatic RLH remains controversial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransl Oncol
September 2025
Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University. Electronic address:
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although mitochondrial metabolism contributes to tumorigenesis, the specific roles of individual mitochondrial components remain unclear.NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S8 (NDUFS8), a key subunit of mitochondrial complex I, has been implicated in non-hepatic malignancies, but its functional relevance in HCC is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Mol Med
September 2025
School of Life Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading cancers worldwide, and its development is strongly associated with the tumour microenvironment, particularly fibrosis and chronic inflammation. This study aims to investigate the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, a key signalling pathway in HCC progression, in the interaction between HCC cells and monocytes, which are central players in inflammation. Using a transwell migration assay, GLI1, the downstream transcriptional effector of the Hh pathway in HCC cells, was found to promote the migration of THP-1 monocyte cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut
September 2025
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Eur J Pharmacol
September 2025
Department of Emergency Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Background: This study seeks to provide preclinical evidence demonstrating the potential of Antrocinol, a derivative of antrocin derived from the active compound of Antrodia cinnamomea, as a promising small-molecule drug candidate for overcoming drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: We developed Lenvatinib-resistant Huh-7 and HepG cell lines (Huh-7/LR, HepG2/LR) to evaluate their viability and apoptotic response to Antrocinol. Autophagy-dependent cell death was assessed in Huh-7/LR cells using Z-VAD-FMK and shATG5 transfection.