[Human hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma]

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the causative agent of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in man. The HBV genome is a circular partially double-stranded DNA molecule of about 3.2 kb. The HBV genome contains four structural genes coding for the HBV envelope (HBsAg) and core (HBcAg/HBeAg) proteins, endogenous DNA-polymerase with the additional enzymatic activity of a reverse transcriptase and polypeptide X functioning as a trans-activator of cellular and viral genes. HBV DNA integration in the genomes of HCCs and hepatocytes of HBV carriers is an important evidence establishing a relationship between the HBV infection and the development of HCC. The mechanism of HBV DNA integration into the cellular genome and the possible role of integrated HBV DNA sequences in the malignant transformation of hepatocytes are discussed.