The role of alpha-fetoprotein in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Yan Lu; Bo Lin; Mengsen Li

doi:10.3389/fonc.2024.1363695

The role of alpha-fetoprotein in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Front Oncol. 2024 Apr 10:14:1363695. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1363695. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Yan Lu¹, Bo Lin¹, Mengsen Li^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan, China.
² Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan, China.
³ Institution of Tumor, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan, China.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant cancer worldwide, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein synthesized by the liver and yolk sac during fetal development. However, the serum levels of AFP exhibit a significant correlation with the onset and progression of HCC in adults. Extensive research has demonstrated that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the malignant transformation of HCC, and AFP is a key factor in the TME, promoting HCC development. The objective of this review was to analyze the existing knowledge regarding the role of AFP in the TME. Specifically, this review focused on the effect of AFP on various cells in the TME, tumor immune evasion, and clinical application of AFP in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. These findings offer valuable insights into the clinical treatment of HCC.

Keywords: AFP; hepatocellular carcinoma; immune escape; immunotherapy; liver cancer stem cells; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by The Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province (No. 822QN311), Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Special Fund (No.ZDYF2021SHFZ222 and No.ZDYF2024SHFZ118), Hainan Medical College Talent Launch Fund (No. XRC220017), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 82060514 and 81960519), and the Research Project of Take off the Proclamation and Leadership of the Hainan Medical College Natural Science Foundation (No. JBGS202106).