Immunohistochemical studies on angiogenesis in chronic hepatitis c virus infection and its possible role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Angiogenesis is implicated in the cancer development of adult organs, favoring the progression, growth, and metastasis of cancer. Angiogenic factors, produced by inflammatory cells, are involved in the earlier phases of oncogenesis. The formation of new vessels has been suggested during chronic viral hepatitis. There is evidence that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infections increase the risk of hepatocellu.lar carcinoma (HCC), although the mechanisms involved are not clear. For hepatitis B virus, several mechanisms have been proposed which suggest that the virus .could cause liver cancer, however for hepatitis C virus, apart from the fact that it causes chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, mechanisms are far from being clarified. Nevertheless HCV infection is a major factor in the increasing risk of HCC even in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Thus in addition to virus­ related cirrhosis or to chronic stimulation of I hepatocellular regeneration, other mechanisms probably contribute to HCV related liver oncogenesis. So, it is I possible to hypothesize that the occurrence of I angiogenesis could contribute to the risk of HCC in I patients with HBV or .HCV chronic infection.