Institution: | 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran;2. Zabol Medicinal Plant Research Center, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran;3. Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;4. Student Research Committee, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran;5. Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;6. Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada |
Abstract: | Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease displaying differences in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix proteins, the immune microenvironment and tumor cell populations. Additionally, genetic variations and epigenetic changes of HCC cells could lead to aberrant signaling pathways, induce cancer stem cells and enhance tumor progression. Thus, the heterogeneity in HCC contributes to disease progression and a better understanding of its heterogeneity will greatly aid in the development of strategies for the HCC treatment. |