Relationship between Notch signaling pathway and primary liver cancer

Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionary conservative cell signaling and it is crucial for cell fate.We have known the main members and core transduction process of Notch signaling pathway,and also gradually realized that the Notch signaling pathway influenced tumor growth and metastasis.Primary liver cancer is one of clinically common digestive system malignant tumors and has higher morbidity and mortality.Recently,several independent research works revealed that the close relationship between Notch signaling pathway and primary liver cancer.This article will review Notch signaling pathway components and transduction process,and focus on summarizing the abnormal expression of Notch signaling components in the primary liver cancer,the effect of Notch signaling on proliferation,apoptosis and migration of hepatic cells,and the hepatitis B virus X protein promoting the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by modulation of the Notch signaling pathway.