Next-generation sequencing identified new oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in human hepatic tumors

Abstract

Genetic studies were performed in a French series of hepatocellular carcinomas. New oncogenes (NFE2L2) and tumor suppressor genes (IRF2, ARID1A and RPS6K3) were found to be recurrently altered. Moreover, a genotoxic signature was identified, raising the possible implication of a genotoxic exposure in the etiology of HCC, which remains to be characterized.

Figure 1. Major pathways that are commonly altered by somatic mutations or homozygous gene deletions in hepatocellular carcinoma. Alteration frequencies are expressed as a percentage mutation and/or homozygous deletion in the validation series of 125 (red or blue when activated or inactivated, respectively) or 24 exome-sequenced (gray) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). For unique gene mutations, no frequency is indicated. Arrows represent positive interactions and lines are inhibitory interactions.