Oncogenicity of viral hepatitis B and C in the initiation of hepatic cancer stem cells

Abstract

Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or/and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of major risk factors in the development of the hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies had shown the capacity of viral proteins in inducing the presence of the population of so-called the cancer stem cells (CSC). The integration of HBV S and X gene in the host genome indicates its direct oncogenicity. In addition, the presence HBV and HCV proteins were shown to modulate intracellular molecular pathways and epigenetic modification. This review summarizes current literature regarding direct oncogenic properties of HBV and HCV in the initiation of CSC both in in vitro and in vivo studies.

Keywords

Cancer stem cells / hepatocellular carcinoma / hepatitis B virus / hepatitis C virus

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