Hepatitis C Virus
(HCV) and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Association and molecular causes of HCV
transformation to HCC
Peer Maqbool Nuzhat, Joshi Vinod, Angel Bennet, Angel Annette and Buvvaji Mohammed
Shareef
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(2); 71-78;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/202rjbt071078; (2025)
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection has become a major health problem affecting approximately
170 million people every year. Also around 350,000 people die every year due to
this virus. In India, around 6-12 million people get infected with Hepatitis C virus.
Different studies have reported the role of Hepatitis C viral proteins mainly Core,
NS3, NS5B in progressing to Hepato-Cellular Carcinoma but the exact cause and effect
relationships are not known. A meta-analysis was first conducted using web tools
and data published in last 25 years. Secondly in silico work was also conducted
and correlated with the existing study.
Interaction of HCV proteins with TP53 (Tumor Suppressing protein p53) in developing
HCC was also carried out. Role of different HCV proteins has been observed in host
signaling pathways which alter mechanism of tumor expression competence of host
system. This study showed that HCV infection is not just limited in causing liver
damage but can also lead to extra-hepatic-manifestations which may make way for
severity in liver. This may further lead to challenges in development of an effective
treatment against HCV, in spite of the number of Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs)
and therapies in use. More studies on molecular diagnosis, further research on DAAs
and therapies can contribute in developing better therapeutics.
