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Semin Liver Dis 2004; 24(1): 77-88
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-823102
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

An Update on the Molecular Genetics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Arief Suriawinata1 , Ruliang Xu2
  • 1Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
  • 2Assistant Professor, The Lillian and Henry M. Stratton-Hans Popper Department of Pathology, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 April 2004 (online)

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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with multiple risk factors and is believed to arise from preneoplastic lesions, usually in the background of cirrhosis. Extensive studies on HCC and its precursors have demonstrated complex and heterogeneous genetic or chromosomal abnormalities along the way from preneoplastic lesions to HCCs. These genetic abnormalities include loss of heterozygosity, microsatellite instability, gene alterations, and aberrant global gene expression profiles. Although some genetic alterations involving the p53 family, Rb family, and Wnt pathways are particularly important in the development of HCCs, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC differs with etiology in some extent. Recent studies using DNA microarray technique have identified some unique gene expression profiles in hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated HCCs. Gene expression profiling also allows people to distinguish HCCs from normal tissue or preneoplastic lesions and to evaluate metastatic or recurrent potentials. These unique genes or gene products associated with malignant transformation and recurrent or metastatic potentials may serve as molecular markers for early diagnosis, prediction of prognosis, and responsiveness to therapy. To date, information that has accumulated for the past several decades is still incomplete, and we still are faced with a great challenge in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of HCCs.

KEYWORDS

Hepatocellular carcinoma - hepatocarcinogenesis - molecular genetics - gene expression profile

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Ruliang XuM.D. Ph.D. 

The Mount Sinai Medical Center

The Lillian and Henry M. Stratton-Hans Popper Department of Pathology, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029

Email: ruliang.xu@msnyuhealth.org

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