Abstract: The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is strongly associated with invasion and metastasis. Recently, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been confirmed to be the cytological foundation of invasion and metastasis. Yet, the molecular mechanism of inducing and maintaining 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 signaling pathways can affect the prognosis of 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