Conclusions
It is currently thought that a number of different factors influence HCV-induced HCC. However, due to the lack of appropriate models or data, it is difficult to determine the specific role of HCV in the malignant transformation of liver cells. In order to identify and characterize these mechanisms, researchers have conducted genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic studies. These studies have revealed gene mutations and gene expression changes that play a role in the development of hepatitis-induced liver cancer. Genomic research has found that long-term hepatitis virus infection causes significant damage, even after eradication of hepatitis virus. Our transcriptomic data indicated that abnormal expression of certain genes and miRNAs is predictive of which patients will later develop HCC. These genes may represent biomarkers which could enable significantly earlier detection of HCC. HCC is not only caused by hepatitis 36. Therefore, more studies are needed to determine whether genes correlated with HCV-induced cancer are also correlated with liver cancer caused by other factors.