Page 8 - Read Online

Editorial

Hepatoma Research: the beginning of a new forum: the beginning of a new forum
Hepatoma Research

Joseph F. Buell

Tulane Transplant Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

Address for correspondence:
Prof. Joseph F. Buell, Tulane Transplant Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
E-mail: jbuell1@tulane.edu
Received: 06-02-2015, Accepted: 19-02-2015

INTRODUCTION ETIOLOGY

Liver cancer, primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or Currently, HCC predominately (78%) arises from two chronic liver
hepatoma has become the third leading cause of death infections: hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV
from cancer worldwide. [1,2] In 2008, the GLOBOCAN reported represents the etiologic factor in 50% of world-wide HCC cases
746,300 new cases of HCC diagnosed worldwide with 695,900 and was recognized in 1994 by the WHO/IARC with a relative
HCC-related deaths and a 1.07 incidence to mortality ratio risk ranging from 5 to 98. Inactive HBV is also an established
[5,6]
making it the third most fatal cancer world-wide with the risk for HCC with a hazard ratio of 4.6. HBV in Asia, especially
vast majority (84%) of cases concentrated in the developing in China and Korea, has shown a steady decline through HBV
countries in Asia and Africa. [2,3] HCC is a disparate cancer immunization programs. Alternatively, the United States and
preferentially afflicting the middle to lower socio-economic Japan witnessed a rise in HCV acquired from intravenous drug
segment of the world. The economic cost of HCC is abuse in the 60’s and 80’s, which was associated with 80-90%
[4]
staggering with global expense estimated at $895.2 billion of HCC cases in Japan and 40-60% of cases in Italy and the
a year only followed by cardiac ($753.2 billion) and United States with an odds ratio of 1.3-134. After decades of
[7-9]
cerebrovascular disease ($298.2 billion). frustration treating HCV introduction of new protease inhibitors
are achieving 80-100% viral eradication, which is associated with
Hepatoma Research (Hepatoma Res, ISSN 2394-5079, a decreased the relative risk for the development of HCC. [10-12]
http://www.hrjournal.net/), this new open access online Unfortunately complete virologic response does not eradicate
journal, has been created to improve and promote the risk of HCC in established HCV-related cirrhosis.
the international exchange of clinical and academic
information about HCC. We invite our peers, clinical Unfortunately, the progress in viral hepatitis has not
and research collaborators alike to contribute to this addressed the looming cloud of obesity, nonalcoholic fibrotic
new journal to improve the international exchange of liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
information in real time to meet this global challenge. on our horizon. In a world of advancing technology, the
Our journal will address all aspect of HCC, including standard of living including food stores has dramatically
cell biology, pathophysiology, genetics, immunology, increased and subsequently the mean body mass index and
pharmacology, medical management as well as radiological incidence of obesity. NAFLD/NASH as an etiologic factor
and surgical interventions.
results in excess fatty acids, and hepatocellular steatosis,
which elicits fatty acid oxidation and reactive oxidative stress
Access this article online [13,14]
Quick Response Code thought to produce epigenetic changes.
Website:
http://www.hrjournal.net/ CARCINOGENESIS

DOI: No matter what the agent viral hepatitis, fatty liver or diabetes
10.4103/2394-5079.153290 the principle risk factor in HCC is the presence of a pre-neoplastic
liver. [15,16] In HBV-related HCC, the presence of serum HBV

Hepatoma Research | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | April 15, 2015 1