Establishment of a Central Virological Lab for a Clinicopathological Network on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Taiwan

It is believed that hepatocarcinogenesis requires multiple steps of genetic or epigenetic alterations. These changes are usually initiated by infection of hepatitis viruses or ingestion of carcinogens, which is followed by other crucial steps leading to cancer. Human hepatocarcinogenesis was found to be strongly associated with chronic hepatitis B and C, based on either epidemiological studies or transgenic mice experiments. Antiviral therapy in both chronic hepatitis B and C significantly reduced the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Under the lead of professor Liaw and professor Chen, a clinico-pathological network and database on hepatocellular carcinoma will be established in the following three years. To support this framework, three core laboratories will be set up in this proposal to provide virological data, pathological data, and storage of clinical data for hepatoma patients included in this network. In the virological core, an assay to detect antibody against hepatitis delta virus will be established for clinical use in Taiwan.

Project ID:PG9408-0277
External Project ID:DOH94-TD-G-111-032