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Review
. 2022 Dec 14;28(46):6433-6477.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i46.6433.

Recent progress in molecular mechanisms of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Zhao-Shan Niu  1 , Wen-Hong Wang  2 , Xiao-Jun Niu  3
Affiliations
Review

Recent progress in molecular mechanisms of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Zhao-Shan Niu et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Hepatectomy is currently considered the most effective option for treating patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC remains unsatisfactory, predominantly because of high postoperative metastasis and recurrence rates. Therefore, research on the molecular mechanisms of postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence will help develop effective intervention measures to prevent or delay HCC metastasis and recurrence and to improve the long-term survival of HCC patients. Herein, we review the latest research progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence to lay a foundation for improving the understanding of HCC metastasis and recurrence and for developing more precise prevention and intervention strategies.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Intervention; Mechanisms; Metastasis; Postoperation; Recurrence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Microscopic image. A: Microscopic image of intrahepatic hematogenous metastasis. The presence of tumor thrombi in the vessels indicates that the Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells have invaded the surrounding blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, which is a high-risk factor for HCC recurrence and metastasis (arrow, hematoxylin and eosin × 400); B: Microscopic image of mutant p53 expression in HCC cells. TP53 is highly expressed in HCC tissues (Right), but not in benign liver tissues (Left) (arrow, immunohistochemical staining × 200); C: Microscopic image of KAI1 expression in HCC cells. KAI1 expression is down-regulated or absent in HCC cells (arrow, immunohistochemical staining × 200); D: Microscopic image of CD3+ T cells in HCC tissues and stromal tissues. CD3+ T cells are densely distributed in tumor stroma, while a single CD3+ T cell is occasionally distributed among HCC cells (arrow, immunohistochemical staining × 200). HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic diagram of molecular mechanisms by which M2-type tumor associated macrophages promote hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and recurrence. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; M2-TAMs: M2-type tumor associated macrophages; ECM: Extracellular matrix; EMT: Epithelial mesenchymal transition.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic diagram of molecular mechanisms by which exosomes promote hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and recurrence. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; ECM: Extracellular matrix; EMT: Epithelial mesenchymal transition; PMNs: Pre-metastatic niches.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of molecular mechanisms by which long non-coding RNAs regulate hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and recurrence. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; LncRNAs: Long non-coding RNAs; CSCs: Cancer stem cells; ECM: Extracellular matrix; EMT: Epithelial mesenchymal transition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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