Wise C, Pilanthananond M, Perry BF, Alpini G, McNeal M, Glaser SS. Mechanisms of biliary carcinogenesis and growth. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(19): 2986-2989 [PMID: 18494047 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.2986]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Shannon S Glaser, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Scott and White Hospita, Medical Research Building Room 316B, 702 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Temple, Texas 76504, United States. sglaser@medicine.tamhsc.edu
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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2008; 14(19): 2986-2989 Published online May 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2986
Mechanisms of biliary carcinogenesis and growth
Candace Wise, Metaneeya Pilanthananond, Benjamin F Perry, Gianfranco Alpini, Michael McNeal, Shannon S Glaser
Candace Wise, Gianfranco Alpini, Shannon S Glaser, Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Scott and White Hospital and The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Temple, TX 76504, United States
Metaneeya Pilanthananond, Gianfranco Alpini, Shannon S Glaser, Department of Medicine, Scott and White Hospital and The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Temple, TX 76504, United States
Benjamin F Perry, Michael McNeal, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76504, United States
Gianfranco Alpini, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, United States
Correspondence to: Shannon S Glaser, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Scott and White Hospita, Medical Research Building Room 316B, 702 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Temple, Texas 76504, United States. sglaser@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Telephone: +1-254-7427058
Fax: +1-254-7245944
Received: September 29, 2007 Revised: November 13, 2007 Published online: May 21, 2008
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer originating from the neoplastic transformation of the epithelial cells (i.e. cholangiocytes) that line the biliary tract. The prognosis for patients with cholangiocarcinoma is grim due to lack of viable treatment options. The increase in world-wide incidence and mortality from cholangiocarcinoma highlights the importance of understanding the intracellular mechanisms that trigger the neoplastic transformation of cholangiocytes and the growth of biliary cancers. The purpose of the following review is to address what has been learned over the past decade concerning the molecular basis of cholangiocarcinogenesis. The material presented is divided into two sections: (1) mechanisms regulating neoplastic transformation of cholangiocytes; and (2) factors regulating cholangiocarcinoma growth. An understanding of the growth regulatory mechanisms of cholangiocarcinoma will lead to the identification of therapeutic targets for this devastating cancer.
