Abstract:The poorprognosisof hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is strongly associated with invasion and metastasis. Recently, theepithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) has beenconfirmed to be the cytologicalfoundationof invasion and metastasis. Yet, the molecularmechanismof inducing andmaintaining EMT has not been expounded completely. However,it has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B( PI3K/AKT),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways play pivotal roles in the initiation and development of EMT.These signalingpathways can affect theprognosisof HCC by regulating EMT. From a drug development perspective, these signal pathways are potential and attractive targets for HCC treatment.

Key words:Carcinoma, hepatocellular,Cell transformation, neoplastic,Transforming growth factor beta