Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with the Hepatitis B virus and microRNA-155 expression

Mohsen, Rana T.; Salman, Hanan F.; Kadhim, Ola A.

doi:10.21608/mb.2025.356593.1243

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with the Hepatitis B virus and microRNA-155 expression

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Anbar, Al-Anbar, Iraq.

² Department of Biology, College of Education for Women, University Of Anbar, Al-Anbar, Iraq.

10.21608/mb.2025.356593.1243

Abstract

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155), identified as an oncogenic regulator in certain malignancies, is linked to tumor progression and aggressiveness. This cross-sectional observational study investigated miR-155 expression levels in plasma samples from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with and without concurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A cohort of 51 patients (aged 18–65 years) with histologically confirmed HCC was analyzed, stratified by HBV serostatus. Results demonstrated a 2.55-fold elevation in miR-155 expression in HBV-positive HCC patients compared to HBV-negative counterparts (p ≤ 0.001). These findings suggest miR-155 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HBV-associated HCC. Mechanistically, miR-155 exhibits oncogenic activity by suppressing tumor suppressor pathways. The HBV-encoded HBx protein is implicated in upregulating miR-155, potentially driving its sustained expression during hepatocarcinogenesis. Additionally, biochemical analyses revealed significantly elevated levels of hepatic injury markers including GPT, GOT, ALP, and indirect bilirubin in HBV-infected patients relative to healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001), further underscoring the interplay between viral infection, hepatic dysfunction, and miR-155 dysregulation.

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