TGF-β1 contributes to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via Smad dependent and independent pathways

Aims: Incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) rises in western countries. However, unlike hepatocellular carcinoma, the morbidity and mortality of ICC still remains unchanged. So far, only few studies focus on the biological characteristics ICC. TGF-β1 plays a dual role in the progression of human cancer and has been implied to be a major force in ICC. In the present study, we investigated the role of TGF-β1 canonical and non canonical signaling pathways in ICC. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1 and P-Smad2/3 was performed in 25 paraffin-embedded cholangiocarcinoma specimens paired with…