Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41827811›Full record

ReviewCancers2026

Pediatric Hepatoblastoma: From Developmental Molecular Mechanisms to Innovative Therapeutic Strategies.

Ana Maria Scurtu, Elena Țarcă, Laura Mihaela Trandafir, Alina Belu, Alina Jehac, Ioana Martu, Valentin Bernic, Rodica Elena Heredea, Viorel Țarcă, Dumitrel Băiceanu and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancers, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ana Maria ScurtuGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Elena ȚarcăGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-3018-8011
Laura Mihaela TrandafirGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-8326-7610
Alina BeluGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Alina JehacGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Ioana MartuGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Valentin BernicGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Rodica Elena HeredeaDepartment of Clinical Practical Skills, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0001-7634-4297
Viorel ȚarcăFaculty of Medicine, Apollonia University, 700511 Iași, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-4192-3704
Dumitrel BăiceanuGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Elena CojocaruGrigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.ORCID 0000-0001-7859-840X

Funding

This research was funded by The Health Programme (PS) 2021-2027, Policy Objective 4, Priority 3, Project title 'Support for Enhancing Performance and Innovation in Excellent Medical Doctoral Research', acronym INNODOC-MED, SMIS code 351058. 351058
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesHepatoblastoma, the most common pediatric primary liver cancer, is no longer regarded as a conventional malignancy but rather as a tumor emerging from disrupted hepatic developmental processes. Although improvements in chemotherapy, surgical techniques, and liver transplantation have markedly enhanced survival, therapeutic decision-making is still primarily guided by anatomical criteria and insufficiently reflects the biological heterogeneity that contributes to variable treatment response and disease recurrence. This narrative review integrates recent advances in molecular biology, tumor stemness, microenvironmental interactions, and translational research models in pediatric hepatoblastoma. We critically examine how developmental signaling pathways, cellular plasticity, and immune-vascular context shape tumor behavior and therapeutic vulnerability, with a focus on emerging targeted, anti-angiogenic, immune, and epigenetic strategies.

resultsHepatoblastoma is characterized by aberrant activation of key developmental pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo-YAP, IGF, and mTOR signaling, which cooperate to sustain proliferation, stem-like phenotypes, and treatment resistance. Tumor heterogeneity is further reinforced by cancer stem cell populations and a predominantly immune-cold microenvironment. While innovative therapeutic approaches show promise, their clinical impact has been limited by biological complexity and insufficient integration into current treatment algorithms. Liquid biopsy biomarkers, advanced translational models, and multi-omics approaches offer new opportunities for biologically informed risk stratification and therapy adaptation.

conclusionsFuture progress in pediatric hepatoblastoma will require a paradigm shift from purely clinicopathological management toward an integrated molecular and surgical framework. Incorporating biological stratification into therapeutic decision-making may enable personalized treatment, rational therapy de-escalation, and improved outcomes for high-risk disease. This review highlights the foundations and future directions for precision medicine in hepatoblastoma.

Indexed as

developmental liver cancerpediatric hepatoblastomaprecision medicinetumor stemnessWnt/β-catenin signaling

Identifiers

PMID41827811
PMCPMC12984975

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.