Doctors at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas claim they've found how HBV can mediate the development of liver cancer. Understanding how HBV may prime liver cells to turn cancerous paves the way to either prevent liver cancer or to treat those who already have the disease. Chief investigator Mien-Chie Hung, Ph.D., and his team found that the hepatitis B virus turns off an enzyme that normally suppresses tumors and blocks the spread of cancer.

In addition, liver cancer may arise from the activation of a process that involves a protein known as beta catenin, which turns on genes involved in the development of cancer when found at high levels. In this study, up to 70% of all hepatocellular carcinoma tumors had increased levels of beta catenin within its cells. This study wasn't just about discoveries, however. The team also reported they found a way to rein in beta catenin and stop cancer from building. www.hepatitisneighborhood.com (Aug. 17, 2005).

BInformed, Fall 2005.