Journal
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Volume 234, Issue 7, Pages 713-725Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.3181/0901-MR-12
Keywords
epidermal growth factor receptor; amphiregulin; heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor; inflammation; liver; hepatocellular carcinoma
Categories
Funding
- Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperative en Cancer [RD06 00200061]
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III [P1040819, P1070392, P1070402, CP04/00123]
- Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo
- Fundacion Mutua Madrilena
- Juan de la Cierva
- Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia
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Epidemiological studies have established that many tumours occur in association with persistent inflammation. One clear example of inflammation-related cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC slowly unfolds on a background of chronic inflammation triggered by exposure to infectious agents (hepatotropic viruses), toxic compounds (ethanol), or metabolic impairment. The molecular links that connect inflammation and cancer are not completely known, but evidence gathered over the past few years is beginning to define the precise mechanisms. A central role for cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1 (alpha and beta) in liver cancer has been established in experimental models. Besides these inflammatory mediators, mounting evidence points to the dysregulation of specific growth and survival-related pathways in HCC development. Among them is the pathway governed by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which can be bound and activated by a broad family of ligands. Of special relevance is the fact that the EGFR engages in extensive crosstalk with other signaling pathways, serving as a signaling hub for an increasing list of growth factors, cytokines, and inflammatory mediators. In this review, we summarize the most recent evidences supporting a role for the EGFR system in inflammation-related cell signaling, with special emphasis in liver inflammation and HCC. The molecular dissection of the pathways connecting the inflammatory reaction and neoplasia will facilitate the development of novel and more effective antitumor strategies. Exp Biol Med 234:713-725, 2009
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