Induction of tumor initiation is dependent on CD44s in c-Met+ hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with active hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling have a significantly worse prognosis. c-Met, a high affinity receptor for HGF, plays a critical role in cancer growth, invasion and metastasis. c-Met and CD44 have been utilized as cell surface markers to identify mesenchymal tumorinitiating stem-like cells (TISC) in several cancers including HCC.