The Function of the HGF/c-Met Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Haiyu Wang; Benchen Rao; Jiamin Lou; Jianhao Li; Zhenguo Liu; Ang Li; Guangying Cui; Zhigang Ren; Zujiang Yu

doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00055

The Function of the HGF/c-Met Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Feb 7:8:55. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00055. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Haiyu Wang^{1

2}, Benchen Rao^{1

2}, Jiamin Lou^{1

2}, Jianhao Li^{1

2}, Zhenguo Liu^{1

2}, Ang Li^{1

2}, Guangying Cui^{1

2}, Zhigang Ren^{1

2}, Zujiang Yu^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
² Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, leading to a large global cancer burden. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its high-affinity receptor, mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met), are closely related to the onset, progression, and metastasis of multiple tumors. The HGF/c-Met axis is involved in cell proliferation, movement, differentiation, invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis by activating multiple downstream signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the function of the HGF/c-Met axis in HCC. The HGF/c-Met axis promotes the onset, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. Moreover, it can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as a therapeutic target for HCC. In addition, it is closely related to drug resistance during HCC treatment.

Keywords: HGF/c-Met axis; function; hepatocellular carcinoma; molecule target therapy; sorafenib.

Publication types

Review