Activating NOTCH and AKT gene may trigger cholangiocarcinoma

Here's the link to the full study:

Cholangiocarcinomas can originate from hepatocytes in mice
http://www.jci.org/articles/view/63212

Indeed, very interesting. The study challenges the basic assumptions about CC.

The assumption until now was that CC always starts in the bile duct cells (cholangiocytes), while hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) always starts in the regular liver cells (hepatocytes).

This study found that intrahepatic CC can start in the regular liver cells (hepatocytes). As disease progresses, regular liver cells undergo transformation into cancerous bile duct cells.

The study was done in mice. According to the study, a strong possibility exists that the same transformation can happen in humans. If confirmed, this finding may suggest new targets for drug development.

Hi, Marion,
I think there is striking similarity of the precursor lesions between the pancreatic ductal system and the biliary tract raise question about a shared molecular pathogenesis ;at least for the extrahepatic CCA .
Intrahepatic CCA, i am still unsure about the findings that the link you provided . At this point  we definitely need confirmation on that. But if my recollection is correct, I have read that in the VERY EARLY stage of the formation of the hepatocytes and cholangiocytes,the distinction of the cell types are minimal at best; So I will reserve my opinion at this time.and I will research more on this.
God bless.

Very interesting indeed. I also posted through FB. It's always good to see studies are being done!