Hepatitis Viruses and Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

Liver cancer is a major health problem and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatitis viruses (HBV and HCV) have been identified between the major etiologies of HCC. HBV and HCV are non-cytopathic viruses that develop mechanisms of escape from immunological control with functional defects of virus-specific T-cell response. This allows them to persist and cause chronic hepatic inflammation, thus leading to cirrhosis and the development of HCC.

One major reason for the failure of HBV treatment is the inability to eradicate covalently closed viral circular DNA (cccDNA), which is a stable episomal form of the viral genome. Epigenetic modifications of cccDNA contribute to viral replication and the outcome of chronic HBV infection. Moreover, HBV integration into host genome contributes to carcinogenesis, even in the absence of cirrhosis. The current antiviral drugs improve the overall patient outcomes through the effective suppression of viral replication, but they do not eradicate the cccDNA, which often causes viral reactivation after the cessation of treatment.

HCV infection is a common form of chronic viral hepatitis worldwide, particularly in high-risk populations, leading to cirrhosis and HCC. The contributing mechanisms to the development of liver cancer are oxidative and ER stress, TGF-induced EMT, steatosis and insulin resistance. The availability of DAAs has revolutionized the treatment of patients with chronic HCV with their ability to target the virus. However, patients with cirrhosis remain at risk for HCC development after successful treatment. Furthermore, the identification and treatment of HCV carriers at an early stage in certain high-risk groups is a challenge for national health systems.

In this Special Issue, we wish to publish original research articles and reviews that aim to delineate cellular, molecular and epigenetic research on liver cancer caused by hepatitis viruses. Epidemiological and clinical research articles are also welcome based on results from various viewpoints.

Prof. Dr. John Koskinas
Dr. Urania Georgopoulou
Guest Editors

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• viral hepatitis
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• HBV
• HCV
• HCC pathogenesis