Grant Details
Grant Number: |
3U19CA040737-15S1 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
London, W. |
Organization: |
Fox Chase Cancer Center |
Project Title: |
Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
Fiscal Year: |
2002 |
Abstract
Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause
of cancer deaths in men and the seventh most common in women. About 80% of
the cases of HCC are associated with chronic infection with hepatitis B
virus (HBV), but chronic carriers of HBV differ widely in their risk of
HCC. Prospective studies of 60,984 men in Haimen City, China and 19,469
men in Senegal, west Africa, undertaken during the current funding period,
revealed a 14-fold greater death rate from HCC among the Haimen than the
Senegalese cohort. The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic HBV infection is
about 20% in both cohorts. Exposure to aflatoxin, a postulated major risk
factor for HCC, does not distinguish these two populations; Senegalese men
were universally and heavily exposed. The prevalence of viremia (HBV DNA
in serum) among HBV carriers throughout adult life is much higher among
the Chinese than the Senegalese population and may be related to the
mechanism by which chronic HV infection induces HCC. The mechanism,
however, is still unknown.
Therefore, the purpose of this program project is to understand the inter-
relationships of HBV and other viral infections, environmental factors,
genetic events and gene-environment interactions to the etiology and
pathogenesis of (HCC). The Specific Aims are: 1) To compare variations in
viral, genetic, and environmental factors associated with development of
HCC to variations in risk of HCC observed in 3 cohort studies in China,
Senegal, and Philadelphia. 2) To understand the cellular and molecular
changes in the liver induced by chronic molecular genetic changes in tumor
cells associated with HCC. 4) To identify genetic factors and gene-
environment interactions associated with susceptibility to HCC. A multi-
disciplinary team of scientists from China, Senegal, and the Fox Chase
Cancer Center will address these Aims in three Projects (Molecular
Epidemiology of HBV and HCC in Three Populations, Genetic Epidemiology of
HCC, and Pathobiology of Acute and Chronic Hepadnavirus Infections)
supported by three Core facilities (Population Resources, Laboratory
Services, Administration).
The ultimate goal of this research is to develop strategies for reducing
the global burden of HCC.
Publications
None. See parent grant details.