Abstract
Gene mutation is responsible for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the characteristics and associated biological functions of highly mutated genes, in which the mutation frequencies are at least 5% in HCC patients with HBV infection, are not clearly evaluated. In the study, we analyzed the information regarding somatic mutation obtained by whole‐exome sequencing in 280 HBV‐related HCC tissues from public databases and published studies. Via integrative analysis, 78 genes, including TP53, TTN, MUC16, CTNNB1, and PCLO were summarized as highly mutated genes, and some of these mutated genes were further identified as cancer driver genes. Besides, we discovered that the highly mutated genes were enriched with various biological functions and pathways. The expression of many of highly mutated genes was found to be significantly altered in HBV‐related HCC, and several highly mutated genes were related to a variety of clinical factors and associated with the poor survival of the disease. Taken together, these results could enrich our understanding of highly mutated genes and their relationships with HBV‐related HCC. Some of the identified highly mutated genes might be used as novel biomarkers of disease prognosis, or as molecular targets for the treatment of HCC with HBV infection.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major pathological type of liver cancer, is still a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.[1]
It has been suggested that several factors,[5-7] including the repeated inflammation mediated by immune reactions against the virus, the integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into the host genome and the virus-encoded oncoproteins (HBx and preS2/S proteins), are responsible for the development of HCC induced by HBV infection, the molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis caused by HBV infection are still not well understanding, and no effective agents have been developed for the treatment of HBV-related HCC
Genetic aberration contributes to the progression of HCC with HBV infection[8]; the relationship of highly mutated genes with the development of HBV-related HCC is not fully clarified
Summary
Jiangsu Health and Family Planning Commission, Grant/Award Number: Z2018017; Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, Grant/Award Number: BK20170263; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded Project, Grant/Award Number: 2016M591925; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD); Scientific Research Foundation for the Talents of Xuzhou Medical University, Grant/Award Number: D2016011; Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds, Grant/Award Number: 1601190C
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
