Incomplete RFA of HCC promotes intrahepatic metastasis and stemness in a VEGFR1-dependent manner

摘要

Objective:Approximately 50%of hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs)recur within 2 years after radiofrequency ablation(RFA).Cancer stem cells(CSCs)may play a critical role in the process of intrahepatic metastasis.Methods:We evaluated the migration and proliferation of HCC cell lines after sublethal heat treatment by performing transwell and cell counting assays.