Epimorphin promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma invasion and metastasis through activation of focal adhesion kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/matrix metalloproteinase‐9 axis
Ya‐Li Jia, Lei Shi, Jun‐Nian Zhou, Chun‐Jiang Fu, Lin Chen, Hong‐Feng Yuan, Yun‐Fang Wang, Xin‐Long Yan, Ying‐Chen Xu, Quan Zeng, Wen Yue, Xue‐Tao Pei – 11 July 2011 – The high incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly the result of frequent metastasis and tumor recurrence. Unfortunately, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving HCC metastasis are still not fully understood. It has been demonstrated that tumor stroma cells contribute to primary tumor growth and metastasis.