WEHI Wednesday Seminar hosted by Professor Jane Visvader

Associate Professor Naiyang Fu

Laboratory Head, ACRF Cancer Biology & Stem Cells division – Cancer Research & Treatments Theme, WEHI



Delineating the molecular and cellular origins of hepatocellular carcinoma



Davis Auditorium

Join via TEAMS-LIVE

Including Q&A session

 

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, constituting more than 80% of hepatic malignancies. Currently, there are only limited therapeutic options. Innovative research on the pathogenesis of this disease at the molecular and cellular levels is needed to improve its diagnosis and develop novel treatment strategies. Liver is the only internal organ with extraordinary regeneration capacity upon damage. The liver lobule is the functional unit of the liver. Emerging evidence, mostly from mouse model studies, suggests that the mass of the liver is mainly maintained by self-renewal of existing hepatocytes during normal liver homeostasis as well as in response to various liver injuries. However, it remains a matter of active debate whether a defined subset(s) of hepatocytes according to their zonal location in the liver lobule serves as stem/progenitor cells for liver regeneration. Moreover, the role of distinct zonal hepatocytes in the initiation of HCC associated with the different oncogenic events that have been identified in HCC patients is poorly understood. We address these fundamental questions using state-of-the-art mouse models and sophisticated molecular technologies. New findings from our study will potentially lead to novel strategies for earlier detection and more effective therapies for liver cancer patients.

All welcome!