Hepatitis C Virus Linked to High Incidence of Liver Cancer in Egypt

Strategic Insights -

A recent study on hepatitis C virus in Egypt has revealed alarming statistics on the incidence of liver cancer in the country. The study, conducted by researchers at Al-Azhar University, found that hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, accounted for up to 90% of all cancer cases in Egypt. The high incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the country was identified as a major predisposing factor for liver cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for up to 90% of all cancer cases in Egypt.
  • The high incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Egypt is a major predisposing factor for liver cancer.
  • The study included 63 Egyptian HCC patients, 55% of whom had a history of HCV infection.
  • Using a paired sampling strategy, approximately 2800 COSMIC mutations from 50 oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes were NGS sequenced.
  • 381 somatic mutations were identified, 91 in the HCC group and 291 in the HCV-related HCC group.
  • The top 10 mutated genes in the non-HCV group were TP53, ATM, EGFR, CDH1, FGFR1, MET, SMAD4, ERBB2, FLT3, and FBXW7.
  • In the HCV-related HCC group, the top 10 mutated genes were KIT, ATM, TP53, APC, FBXW7, KDR, RB1, SMAD4, EGFR, and PIK3CA.
  • The study suggests that HCV viral infection played a direct and indirect role in increasing the somatic mutation burden in HCV-related HCC patients.
  • The study opens new promises of targeted therapies for HCV-related HCC patients.

Statistics:

  • Epidemiology of HCC: 47.17% of cancer cases are HCC in Egypt.
  • Prevalence of HCV: 55% of HCC patients have a history of HCV infection.
  • Somatic mutations: 381 mutations identified, with 91 in the HCC group and 291 in the HCV-related HCC group.
  • Mutated genes: TP53, ATM, EGFR, CDH1, FGFR1, MET, SMAD4, ERBB2, FLT3, and FBXW7 were the top 10 mutated genes in the non-HCV group.
  • Somatic mutation burden: HCV-related HCC patients have a higher somatic mutation burden compared to HCC patients without HCV.

Sources:

  • cfDNA Key genomic markers in HCV-Induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2025,23(3):100533.
  • Al-Azhar University Researchers Report Research in Hepatitis C Virus (cfDNA Key genomic markers in HCV-Induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients). Cancer Weekly. September 9, 2025; p 878.