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A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
1Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministries of Education and Health), Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. yhxie@fudan.edu.cn.
Insights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major liver cancer, is strongly linked to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Understanding HBV
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant global health concern, ranking as the fifth most common cancer in men and ninth in women, and the second leading cause of cancer mortality.
- Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 350 million people worldwide and is implicated in over 50% of all HCC cases.
- HBV contributes to HCC development through both direct and indirect mechanisms, involving factors like viral replication, genotype, integration, and encoded oncoproteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the oncogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- To identify key HBV-related factors and host immune responses that promote HCC development.
- To highlight advancements in the prevention of HBV-associated HCC.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HBV infection and its association with HCC.
- Analysis of direct and indirect oncogenic mechanisms driven by HBV.
- Examination of the impact of host immune responses on liver pathology and mutation accumulation.
- Assessment of the efficacy of current preventive strategies, including HBV vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Main Results:
- Chronic HBV infection is a primary driver of HCC globally, with numerous viral factors contributing to cancer development.
- Persistent liver inflammation, driven by host immune responses to HBV, accelerates fibrosis, cirrhosis, and genetic mutations in hepatocytes.
- Significant progress has been made in preventing HBV-associated HCC through vaccination and antiviral treatments.
Conclusions:
- Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a critical factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, acting through complex viral and host-mediated pathways.
- Effective prevention and management strategies, including vaccination and antiviral therapies, are crucial for reducing the burden of HBV-associated HCC.
Abstract:
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide in men and the ninth in women. It is also the second most common cause of cancer mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. About 350 million people globally are chronically infected with HBV. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for at least 50% cases of HCC worldwide. Other non-HBV factors may increase HCC risk among persons with chronic HBV infection. Both indirect and direct mechanisms are involved in HCC oncogenesis by HBV. HCC-promoting HBV factors include long-lasting infection, high levels of HBV replication, HBV genotype, HBV integration, specific HBV mutants, and HBV-encoded oncoproteins (e.g., HBx and truncated preS2/S proteins). Recurrent liver inflammation caused by host immune responses during chronic HBV infection can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and accelerate hepatocyte turnover rate and promote accumulation of mutations. Major breakthroughs have been achieved in the prevention of HBV-associated HCC with HBV vaccines and antiviral therapies.
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