Research progress on heterogeneity and epigenetics of hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor heterogeneity is one of the common phenomena of malignant tumors, and the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma is significant. Despite some treatments such as surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the primary phage of hepatocellular carcinoma have been used, the prognosis of patients remains poor, which is closely related to the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, exploring the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma has important clinical significance for improving the therapeutic effect of hepatocellular carcinoma. This article reviews the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma from an epigenetic perspective and explores the possible intrinsic epigenetic molecular mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Genetic heterogeneity; Neoplastic stem cells; Epigenetics