Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-D Enables Liver Myofibroblasts to Promote Tumor Lymphangiogenesis in Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) originates from the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts and unfortunately, carries a very poor prognosis. [1] Despite of its increasing incidence, effective treatment options for CCA are scarce and limited to surgical resection or liver transplantation in few highly selected patients. [1] Less than one third of patients are eligible for curative surgery at the time of diagnosis due to a proclivity for early lymph node metastatization. [1,2] Although mechanisms promoting CCA invasiveness are still unclear, [3] the lymphatic vessels that develop within the tumor provide an important initial route of metastatic dissemination.

Source: Journal of Hepatology - December 13, 2018 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Massimiliano Cadamuro, Simone Brivio, Joachim Mertens, Marta Vismara, Anja Moncsek, Chiara Milani, Christian Fingas, Maria Cristina Malerba, Giorgia Nardo, Luigi Dall'Olmo, Eleonora Milani, Valeria Mariotti, Tommaso Stecca, Marco Massani, Carlo Spirli, Ro Source Type: research