Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	124235
DOI	10.4251/wjgo.124235
Country	China

Category	Oncology
Manuscript Type	Minireviews
Article Title	Differentiation-inducing therapy: A potential therapeutic strategy that targets liver cancer stem cells
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Hao Luo, Meng-Ting Yao, Min-Jie Yu and Tao Wang
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number National Natural Science Foundation of China 81502696 Program of General Hospital of Western Theater Command 2021-XZYG-C33, 2024-YGJC-A12 Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Provence International Cooperation Program 2019YFH0056
Corresponding Author	Tao Wang, MD, Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, No. 270 Rongdu Avenue, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, China. wangtao301020@sina.com
Key Words	Differentiation-inducing therapy; Liver cancer; Liver stem/progenitor cells; Liver cancer stem cells; Malignant transformation
Core Tip	Differentiation-inducing therapy may be a potential strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as it can target both the arrested differentiation of liver stem/progenitor cells and the dedifferentiation of mature hepatocytes. We systematically retrieved and analyzed recent relevant research on liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) origin and differentiation therapy, and we summarized how differentiation-inducing therapy plays therapeutic role based on the theory of LCSCs. In addition, we explored the potential molecules and agents with differentiation-inducing therapeutic effect, and assessed translational prospects and clinical applicability of these candidate agents for future HCC treatment.
Citation	Luo H, Yao MT, Yu MJ, Wang T. Differentiation-inducing therapy: A potential therapeutic strategy that targets liver cancer stem cells. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.4251/wjgo.124235
PDF	124235-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-06-10 02:49
Peer-Review Started	2026-06-10 02:49
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-01 06:58
Revised	2026-07-12 09:47
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-08-10 02:45
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-08-10 10:45
Articles in Press	2026-08-10 10:45
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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