Figure 2. Potential origin and evolution of liver CSCs.
CSCs may originate from non-CSCs by the activation of dedifferentiation programs. Liver CSC development may be regulated by hepatobiliary lineage commitment programs and oncogenic programs that are induced by acquired by genetic/epigenetic changes and activated signaling pathways. The emergence and domination of liver CSCs may reflect the molecular subtypes of liver cancers linked to the clinical outcome. CCA, cholangiocellular carcinoma.