Biological functions of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

With the in-depth study of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and lymphocyte immune regulation, tumor suppressor protein factor and stem cell factor, it is found that AFP is involved in tumorigenesis, growth, metastasis and maintenance of liver cancer cell stem cell function. AFP inhibits natural killer cell activity by inhibiting lymphatic system to protect the liver cancer cells from immune surveillance; AFP can also inhibit the activity of tumor suppressor genes such as caspase-3, pten, p53 and tumor suppressor proteins; AFP can promote the formation of liver cancer stem cells and maintains stability through activating the expressions of other cancer stem cells factors. This paper reviews the biological functions of AFP by regulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells to evade immune surveillance, inhibiting apoptosis and maintaining the generation of liver cancer stem cells.