Fig. 4

Significance of lncRNA in HCC hallmarks. Dysregulated lncRNAs promote HCC through distinct mechanisms, leading to different phenotypes corresponding to every tumor stage. These hallmarks include (a) sustained proliferation due to aberrant regulation of growth factor receptor/RTK signaling or cell cycle progression; b dysregulated energetics induced by metabolic reprogramming; c elevated stemness due to the hyperactivation of CSC-related signaling; d enhanced metastasis induced by the overexpression of mesenchymal markers and formation of additional vessels