Matrisome analysis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma unveils a peculiar cancer-associated extracellular matrix structure

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a malignancy that arises from the intrahepatic biliary tree, showing high mortality rates due to its late clinical presentation and limited treatment options. iCCA is characterized by a dense, reactive desmoplastic stroma marked by a dramatic accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Although recent results strongly suggest a relationship between increasing desmoplastic stroma and the enhanced malignant behaviour of iCCA, the importance of ECM proteins in the pathogenesis of iCCA still have to be addressed.