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Special feature: Deciphering cellular and molecular causes of tumor functional heterogeneity of the liver cancer
Liver cancer heterogeneity is possibly derived from the acquisition of genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumor cells, the cross-talk of cells within the tumor microenvironment, as well as the existence of a cancer stem cell subpopulation. The heterogeneous characteristics of liver cancer might be responsible for the frequent tumor recurrence and the chemoresistance nature of the tumor imply the need of targeting the disease from different perspectives. In this special issue, Experimental & Molecular Medicine features one review and seven original articles focusing on novel driver gene, intracellular signaling pathways and microenvironments that may contribute to tumor functional heterogeneity of liver cancer, aiming to provide knowledge that can be applied to liver cancer clinical management.