HBV Oncogenic Risk
In Sub-Saharan Africa, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 2nd most common cause of cancer mortality in males, 3rd in females. 60% of all cases are due to chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Black South Africans have a 4.5 times higher risk of developing HCC, genetically, due to the HBV subgenotype A1, which has a Sub-Saharan specific mutation in the precore region, affecting the expression of HBeAg. Our preliminary in vitro results showed dynamics of HBeAg and its precursors, their interactions with cancer pathways and degradation of tumour suppressor P53.
Aim:
We will try to correlate the presence of mutations in TP53 gene with the presence of HBV subgenotype A1 and G1862T mutation in HBV related HCC patients in South Africa.
Vision:
This research will allow the detection of HCC/HBV biomarkers for early cancer detection through a prospective study. This research can also be used to detect other tumour suppressors’ regulation or host proteins involved in cancer pathways, regulated by the protein, HBeAg and its precursors. HBeAg/preC are also biomarkers themselves. Other applications may include the monitoring of disease progression and response to treatments, which are urgently needed. It will ultimately allow the development of new cancer therapies treatments using monoclonal antibodies and antigens for tumor vaccination, that are targeted to sub-Saharan African infected with subgenotype A1.
Project team:
- Dr Aurelie Deroubaix (Principal Investigator, Life Sciences Imaging Facility, Senior Lecturer and Research Associate in Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit (HVDRU) and Oncology department, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand)
- Ms Kiyasha Padarath (Early Career Scientist, PhD student, Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand)
- Prof Anna Kramvis (Mentor, Emeritus Professor, Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand)
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Division of Histopathology, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
- Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub (DIH) (Advisor and consultant molecular oncology)
