title: Molecular pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Research over the past decade has unraveled important molecular pathways involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and several chromosomal and genetic aberrations have been identified to be responsible for initiation of the carcinogenic process. HBx protein and HCV core protein appear to play a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis related to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, respectively. These viral oncoproteins allow cells to bypass some of the multi-steps in hepatocarcinogenesis, accounting for the etiological role of the two viruses in HCC. Understanding of the molecular pathways of HCC facilitates the development of novel molecular strategies for chemoprevention and therapy of HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: Ronnie T P
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Poon
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*