# HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND HUMAN LIVER CANCER

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1988 · $31,680

## Abstract

The major goal of this project is to define the functional role of
hepatitis B virus (HBV) in human liver cancer.  There is strong evidence
associating persistent infection of HBV with the development of primary
hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC), a cancer that is a major public health
problem worldwide.  It is of utmost importance to establish whether HBV is
involved as a complete transforming virus carrying its own transforming
gene, or whether it acts indirectly, perhaps activating the expression of a
cellular oncogene.  We have designed a comprehensive approach to address
this topic, integrating biological, molecular, and immunological
investigations, predicated on the principal features of both DNA and RNA
tumor virus systems.  The first aim is to determine the ability of HBV to
immortalize or transform normal human liver cells in vitro, either alone or
in the presence of tumor promoters.  Human hepatocytes will be cultured on
collagen gels to permit retention of architecture and physiology exhibited
in vivo.  Secondly, we will analyze the status and expression of HBV
markers in PHC tumor tissue obtained from several geographical areas of the
world.  Third, the transforming activity of DNA from PHC cells will be
examined to detect activated cellular oncogenes.  Both the standard NIH-3T3
cells and normal human hepatocytes will be used as indicator cells in
transfection experiments.  The fourth aim is to search for putative HBV
transforming protein(s), using antisera prepared against synthetic peptides
homologous to regions of the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by an
open reading frame in the HBV genome.  Hepatoma patients' sera will also be
utilized in the search for a transforming protein.  Finally, we will
determine if a particular idiotype may serve as a genetic marker for
HBV-associated PHC.  THis project will provide insights into the oncogenic
potential of HBV and its role in the development of liver cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175091
- **Project number:** 3R01CA037257-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** JANET S BUTEL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $31,680
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1984-06-01 → 1989-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175091

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175091, HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND HUMAN LIVER CANCER (3R01CA037257-03S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175091. Licensed CC0.

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