The application progress in whole-genome and exome sequencings of liver cancer

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers world-wide. Known risk factors and prognostic factors of the disease include virus infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, alcohol intake, carcinogenic substances such as aflatoxin B1. So far, multiple studies have identified the molecular genetic characteristics of the tumor utilizing next-generation sequencing technologies.The whole-genome and exome sequencing of HCC can help to find potential key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as improving molecular diagnosis of HCC, which can help to find new therapeutic targets and determine prognosis. In 2011, The US researchers whole-genome sequencing (2 patients, with HBV and HCV infection, respectively), whole genome exome sequencing (47 patients, of which 33 with HCV infection, 7 with HBV infection, and 7 with non-viral infection), Sanger sequencing (94 patients, of which 52 with HBV infection, 36 with HCV infection, and 6 with non-viral infection), gene expression (4 patients, of which 2 with HBV infection and 2 with HCV infection), and Epigenetic inheritance (1 case, with HCV infection), as well as other research strategies in search of treatment approaches for liver cancer from genomics perspectives, in hope of improving long-term survival rate of patients with HCC[1]. This review summarizes the HCC-related predisposing genes from whole-genome and exome studies with next generation sequencing technologies. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Whole-genome sequencing; Exome sequencing