Oncogenic viruses and hepatocellular carcinoma.
About 80% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections especially in the setting of established cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis, making HCC prevention a major goal of antiviral therapy. HCC tumors are highly complex and heterogeneous resulting from the aberrant function of multiple molecular pathways. The roles of HCV or HBV in promoting HCC development are still either directly or indirectly are still speculative, but the evidence for both effects is compelling. In patients with chronic hepatitis viral infection, cirrhosis is not a prerequisite for tumorigenesis.
Liver Disease Center, Sheba Medical Center, Derech Sheba No 1, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; Liver Research Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. Electronic address: Ziv.Ben-Ari@sheba.health.gov.il.
Ziv
Z
Ben Ari
Liver Disease Center, Sheba Medical Center, Derech Sheba No 1, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Ella
E
Weitzman
Liver Disease Center, Sheba Medical Center, Derech Sheba No 1, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; Liver Research Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Michal
M
Safran
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D009858:Oncogenic Viruses; D016662:Virus Integration
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral
Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Oncogenic viruses