Exploring the Role of Liver Cancer Stem Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis

Metastasis refers to disseminating cancerous tumors from their primary site to distant locations inside the body. Cancer cells must go through a sequence of events called the “metastatic cascade” to develop metastases. Each stage necessitates a unique functional alteration. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in tumor metastasis, but understanding their dynamic behavior and regulating mechanisms remains incomplete. This review explores the influence of liver CSCs on the biological processes that drive the spread and growth of cancer cells, as described by the “metastatic cascade” concept. Liver CSCs can spread to other organs by undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This alteration in the microenvironment facilitates cellular dissemination, immune surveillance evasion, dormancy induction, and subsequent reactivation. To effectively prevent and treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastases, it is crucial to understand the heterogeneity and features of liver CSCs involved in these processes.