Researchers Identify New Mechanism Behind Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Fujian Cancer Hospital in China have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanism behind Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to their study, published in Microbiology Spectrum, HBV-encoded circular RNA HBV-circRNA-5 plays a crucial role in promoting HCC progression by regulating the miR-9-3p/Hippo signaling axis. This discovery provides new insights into the carcinogenesis of HBV-mediated HCC and sheds light on a potential target for HCC treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • HBV-encoded circRNA, HBV-circRNA-5, is involved in the tumorigenesis of HCC and promotes cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
  • Overexpression of HBV-circRNA-5 leads to the upregulation of YAP/TAZ expression, which stimulates the proliferation of HCC cells.
  • The HBV-circRNA-5/miR-9-3p/Hippo network is identified as a critical driver of HCC progression.
  • HBV-mediated cirrhosis is considered a significant predisposing factor among HCC individuals, despite the increasing incidence of HCC due to noninfectious factors.
  • The study provides a novel understanding of the molecular mechanism behind HBV-related HCC development and proposes a potential target for HCC treatment.

Statistics:

  • Approximately tens of millions of HBV patients are still vulnerable to liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite the neonatal vaccine.
  • HBV-mediated cirrhosis is considered a significant predisposing factor among HCC individuals, accounting for a substantial portion of HCC cases.
  • The study identifies HBV-encoded circular RNA HBV-circRNA-5 as a critical driver of HCC progression, highlighting its potential as a target for HCC treatment.

Sources:

  • HBV-encoded circRNA-5 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the miR-9-3p/Hippo signaling axis. Microbiology Spectrum, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Fujian Cancer Hospital Have Reported New Data on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV-encoded circRNA-5 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the miR-9-3p/Hippo signaling axis). Cancer Weekly. September 16, 2025; p 2725.