The research situation and progress in the invasion and metastasis mechanism of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy with an increasing incidence and mortality in recent years. Despite advanced improvements in its diagnosis and therapy, the prognosis for ICC patients remains poor. High heterogeneity and malignant biological behavior are the main factors determining the prognosis of ICC. An in-depth study of the mechanism of ICC invasion and metastasis is expected to help optimizing clinical decision-making. The application of advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing has enhanced the researchers′ understanding of heterogeneity of ICC and characteristics of invasion and metastasis. Studies have found that ICC gene expression abnormalities (gene mutations, fusion gene formation, and abnormalities in gene expression regulatory pathways) and microRNA expression disorders are closely related to ICC cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. In addition, ICC is usually characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma, in which cancer-associated myofibroblasts are the major cellular components and play an important role in inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, promoting malignant cell invasion and metastasis, and even accelerating ICC progression. Key words: Biliary neoplasms; Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; Invasion and metastasis; Gene mutation; MicroRNA; Cancer-associated myofibroblasts