Editorial
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2006; 12(39): 6261-6265
Published online Oct 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i39.6261
Hepatic progenitor cells in human liver tumor development
Louis Libbrecht
Louis Libbrecht, Liver Research Unit of the Laboratory of Morphology and Molecular Pathology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Correspondence to: Dr Louis Libbrecht, Laboratory of Morphology and Molecular Pathology, Minderbroedersstraat 12, Leuven 3000, Belgium. louis.libbrecht@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Telephone: +32-16336588 Fax:+32-16336548
Received: May 2, 2006
Revised: May 28, 2006
Accepted: June 14, 2006
Published online: October 21, 2006
Abstract

In recent years, the results of several studies suggest that human liver tumors can be derived from hepatic progenitor cells rather than from mature cell types. The available data indeed strongly suggest that most combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinomas arise from hepatic progenitor cells that retained their potential to differentiate into the hepatocytic and biliary lineages. Hepatic progenitor cells could also be the basis for some hepatocellular carcinomas and hepatocellular adenomas, although it is very difficult to determine the origin of an individual hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently not enough data to make statements regarding a hepatic progenitor cell origin of cholangiocarcinoma. The presence of hepatic progenitor cell markers and the presence and extent of the cholangiocellular component are factors that are related to the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinomas and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinomas, respectively.

Keywords: Hepatic progenitor cell; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver tumor