Research progress of cholangiocarcinoma induced by liver fluke infection

Liver fluke is a digenetic trematode parasitizing in the hepatic ducts of humans or animals. Patients with liver fluke infection suffer from a series of hepatobiliary diseases. The prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma is significantly high in areas with high incidence of clonorchiasis. Liver fluke is an important biocarcinogenic factor in the occurrence of cholangiocarcinoma. The secretory products of the body of this parasite and long-term mechanical stimulation will induce continuous inflammation of the bile duct. Gene expression of the bile duct cells is imbalanced, leading to bile duct carcinogenesis. This paper provides a summary of recent studies on the epidemiology, clinicopathology, and molecular biology of cholangiocarcinoma induced by liver fluke infection.