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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 10/2020

01-10-2020 | Hepatocellular Carcinoma | Review – Cancer Research

Effects of alpha-fetoprotein on the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Authors: Yifei Zheng, Mingyue Zhu, Mengsen Li

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 10/2020

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is considered as a diagnostic and prognostic tumorous marker for HCC, and up to 70% of HCC patients showed elevated serum levels of AFP. In the past two decades, evidences have shown that AFP not only is a tumorous biomarker for diagnosing HCC, but also plays a very complicated role in regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy and inhibiting the immune response of cells. Because AFP is significantly elevated during hepatocarcinogenesis, the role of AFP in the development of HCC is a scientific problem worthy of further exploration. In this review, we reviewed the effects of AFP on hepatocyte malignant transformation and the underlying mechanisms involved in the progression of HCC.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of alpha-fetoprotein on the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors
Yifei Zheng
Mingyue Zhu
Mengsen Li
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-020-03331-6

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WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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