RT Journal Article
T1 New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer
A1 Cuesta Martínez, Ángel
A1 Palao, Nerea
A1 Bragado Domingo, Paloma
A1 Gutiérrez Uzquiza, Álvaro
A1 Herrera González, Blanca María
A1 Sánchez Muñoz, Aranzazu
A1 Porras Gallo, María Almudena
AB Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
PB MDPI
SN 1422-0067
YR 2023
FD 2023-12-05
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/105544
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/105544
LA eng
NO Cuesta, Á.M.; Palao, N.; Bragado, P.; Gutierrez-Uzquiza, A.; Herrera, B.; Sánchez, A.; Porras, A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 17152.
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad  (España)
NO European Commission
NO Ministerio de Educación y Cultura
DS Docta Complutense
RD 7 abr 2025