Biochemical overview of the recent findings on the correlation between viral hepatitis and its related hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract As one of the most common primary liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in the presence of inflammation. Compared to other risk factors such as alcohol abuse, aflatoxin, and obesity, virus-induced hepatitis can be effectively prevented by vaccines. For the past several decades, HCC has been believed to be closely related to viral infections although no comprehensive mechanism was established regarding the contribution of viral hepatitis toward HCC. Recent studies have shown that viral infection plays multiple roles in the process of carcinogenesis by causing an increase in genomic instability, cancer-promoting genetic mutations, signal pathway interruption, and tumor suppressor gene inhibition. Sorafenib has become a novel option for HCC patients, especially those who are in advanced disease stage for which conventional treatment methods are not recommended. Future studies should focus more on novel targeted drugs which can be adopted as alternatives to sorafenib or as second-line drugs after the failure of sorafenib