Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2010; 16(15): 1832-1836
Published online Apr 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i15.1832
Chemokines and hepatocellular carcinoma
Fan Huang, Xiao-Ping Geng
Fan Huang, Xiao-Ping Geng, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China
Author contributions: Huang F and Geng XP contributed equally to this paper.
Supported by Natural Science Key Program of the Education Department of Anhui Province, No. KJ2010A169
Correspondence to: Xiao-Ping Geng, MD, Professor, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China. xp_geng@163.net
Telephone: +86-551-2923287 Fax: +86-551-2922335
Received: December 25, 2009
Revised: January 12, 2010
Accepted: January 19, 2010
Published online: April 21, 2010
Abstract

Chemokines play a paramount role in tumor progression. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, chemokines and their receptors play an intricate role. Currently, chemokines and their receptors such as the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and the CCL20-CCR6 axis have received much research attention. Although a large number of studies show that these axes are strongly associated with HCC, the exact mechanism by which these axes promote the growth and progression of HCC remains unknown. In this paper, several chemokines and their receptor interactions in HCC progression, growth and metastasis and immune response to HCC are reviewed.

Keywords: Chemokines, Hepatocellular carcinoma