APC mutations in prior hepatitis B virus-infected non-cancerous tissues and their association with hepatocellular carcinogenesis

Abstract The molecular mechanisms by which a prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not clearly established. This study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms by investigating gene mutation profiles associated with the development of HCC in patients with prior HBV infection. Patients who developed HCC after prior HBV infection exhibited similar mutation profiles to those of patients with active HBV infection in cancerous and non-cancerous areas. This similarity suggests that there are no unique gene mutations associated with HCC development in the context of prior HBV infection. Importantly, there were no significant differences in mutation profiles between patients who did and did not develop HCC after prior HBV infection in non-cancerous areas. However, patients with APC mutations in non-cancerous liver tissues had a higher likelihood of HCC recurrence than that of patients without such mutations. Our findings indicate that APC mutations play a significant role in the development of HCC in patients with a history of HBV infection. Further studies are required to fully elucidate the role of this gene in HBV-associated carcinogenesis.