Published online Jun 14, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i22.2417
Peer-review started: February 16, 2022
First decision: March 9, 2022
Revised: March 22, 2022
Accepted: April 15, 2022
Article in press: April 15, 2022
Published online: June 14, 2022
Processing time: 113 Days and 12.1 Hours
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the principal etiology of cirrhosis and, ultimately, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with HCV, and 10%–20% of these are expected to develop severe liver complications throughout their lifetime. Scientific evidence has clearly shown the causal association between miRNAs, HCV infection and HCC. Although it is not completely clear whether miRNA dysregulation in HCC is the cause or the consequence of its development, variations in miRNA patterns have been described in different liver diseases, including HCC. Many studies have analyzed the importance of circulating miRNAs and their effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this Review, we aim to summarize current knowledge on the association between miRNA, HCV and HCC from a diagnostic point of view, and also the potential implications for therapeutic approaches.
Core tip: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most life-threatening cancers worldwide. Among other factors, HCC is frequently caused by chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Currently, the mechanisms responsible for its neoplastic transformation are not completely understood. Regardless of the recent discovery and therapeutic use of latest-generation direct-acting antivirals, HCC remains an unresolved problem, even after viral eradication. In this scenario, miRNAs can become both a diagnostic tool and, hopefully, a novel therapeutic approach.