| 作者 |
Chen-Guo Ker, Kong-Kai Kuo, Wen-Tsan Chang, Jong-Shyong Chen,King-Ter Lee, Sheau-Fang Yang, Chun-Chieh Wu, Chee-Yin Chai |
| 摘要 |
The human liver consists of three types of liver cells: mature hepatocytes, cholangiocytes,
and bipolar adult hepatic stem/progenitor cells (HPC). These three types of cell are
commonly regarded as the primary targets of malignant transformation in the liver, if exposed
to carcinogens in vivo or in vitro. Activation and proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells have
been reported in precancerous conditions, such as chronic inflammation (hepatitis B/hepatitis
C, alcoholic hepatitis and steatohepatitis). An origin of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from
hepatic progenitor cells is currently inferred from the fact that many tumors contain a mixture
of mature cells and cells phenotypically similar to hepatic progenitor cells. In our series, there
were 42 patients (31 males, 11 females, aged 23e80 years old) with HCC, who accepted liver
resection, yielding specimens sufficient for pathological studies. Immunohistochemical studies
were made with human monoclonal antibodies against OV-6, CD133, CK-19, CD44, AFP for
investigating the HPC. HPC grading was higher in HCC patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis
C and lower in those with non-B or non-C hepatitis. As regards the survival of HCC patients
based on the grading of cancer stem cells (CSC) within the tumor, the group of Grade 0 showed
a more favorable survival rate than that of Grade 1e3. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of
Grade 0 and Grade 1e3 were 92%, 76%, and 69%, and 63%, 50%, and 50%, respectively
(p Z 0.073). These liver CSC would be more resistant to chemotherapeutic agents than tumor
cells with limited proliferative potential. In conclusion, we strongly believe that the contributions
of HPC warrant research in patients with HCC. Without determining the characteristics of
CSC, it is impossible to propose new treatment strategies. |
