# GENE EXPRESSION--ONCOGENIC/CHRONIC HEPATITIS B INFECTION

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALLEGHENY UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES · 1987 · $85,774

## Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have shown that infection with Hepatitis B virus
(HBV) is a major worldwide public health problem.  In areas where HBV is
endemic, the chronic infection rate reaches 5-10% or more in the general
population.  Several lines of evidence suggest that persistence of HBV
infection is related to development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Many patients with HCC are also HBV carriers.  The published studies do not
prove that HBV is oncogenic.  The finding of HBV DNA in all carcinomas and
the presence of integrated HBV DNA in many carcinomas is highly suggestive
that HBV is oncogenic or stimulates oncogenesis.  In the studies outlined,
we will elucidate biochemical and molecular pathways by which HBV may cause
hepatitis in primates including humans.  These novel studies will make use
of molecular cloning to analyze in vivo HBV transcription in different
hepatoma cell lines (e.g., PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B) as well as in the liver of
chronically infected chimpanzees.  In addition, we will use cell free in
vitro transcription of cloned HBV genomes to identify different control
signals present in the viral genome which regulates initiation,
polyadenylation and the splicing processing involved during HBV mRNA
biogenesis.  Characterization of in vivo and in vitro HBV transcription
will provide new information important in establishing the basic features
and identities of different viral RNAs associated with oncogenic and
chronic HBV infections.  Since HBV has a narrow host range and has not been
replicated in tissue culture, these studies will greatly enhance our
understanding of the role of the HBV gene expression and regulation under
abnormal physiologic or pathologial conditions, such as persistent HBV
infection and chronic liver disease.  In this light, we will also be able
to identify possible links in the causal relationship between HBV infection
and hepatocellular carcinoma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175987
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038007-03
- **Recipient organization:** ALLEGHENY UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia M. Repik
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $85,774
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175987

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175987, GENE EXPRESSION--ONCOGENIC/CHRONIC HEPATITIS B INFECTION (5R01CA038007-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175987. Licensed CC0.

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