Molecular aspects of hepatic carcinogenesis.
Exogenous agents correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been identified and well characterized. These agents, including the different viruses that cause chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, can lead to regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules/adenomatous hyperplasia. These conditions associated with several molecular alterations of hepatocyte ultimately culminate in hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, there has been a great progress in the identification of somatic and germinative mutations that may be correlated with the development of HCC, justifying a review on the subject. Hence, the factors involved in the process of hepatic carcinogenesis, such as infection by the hepatitis B and C viruses, with a special focus in the molecular alterations described in recent years are discussed herein, pointing out areas potentially relevant for clinical development.
Nita
Marcelo Eidi
ME
Discipline of Clinical Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. marcelo_nita@uol.com.br
Alves
Venâncio Avancini Ferreira
VA
Carrilho
Flair José
FJ
Ono-Nita
Suzane Kioko
SK
Mello
Evandro Sobroza de
ES
Gama-Rodrigues
Joaquim J
JJ
D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D009154:Mutation; D009857:Oncogenes; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics
D019098:Telomerase