Mechanisms of portal vein tumour thrombus formation and development in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

J Cell Mol Med. 2023 Aug;27(15):2103-2111. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.17808. Epub 2023 Jun 22.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive human malignancies worldwide. Portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is considered one of most fearful complications of HCC and is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. Clarification of the mechanisms underlying the formation and development of PVTT is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for HCC patients. Several studies have been made to uncover that tumour microenvironment, stem cells, abnormal gene expression and non-coding RNAs deregulation are associated with PVTT in patients with HCC in the last decade. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of PVTT in patients with HCC are still largely unknown. In the present review, we briefly summarized the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and development of PVTT in HCC.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); mechanism; portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Portal Vein / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thrombosis* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Microenvironment