Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy of the biliary tree that carries a poor prognosis. Multiple features at the genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental levels have been identified to better characterize CCA carcinogenesis. Genetic alterations, such as mutations in IDH1/2, BAP1, ARID1A, and FGFR2, play significant roles in CCA pathogenesis, with variations across different subtypes, race/ethnicities, and etiologies. Epigenetic dysregulation, characterized by DNA methylation and histone modifications, further contributes to the complexity of CCA, influencing gene expression and tumor behavior. Furthermore, CCA cells exchange autocrine and paracrine signals with other cancer cells and the infiltrating cell types that populate the microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, further contributing to an immunosuppressive niche that supports tumorigenesis. This review explores the multifaceted genetic, epigenetic and microenvironmental drivers of CCA. Understanding these diverse mechanisms is essential for characterizing the complex pathways of CCA carcinogenesis and developing targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
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