Hepatitis C virus (HCV) mediated end stage liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a growing problem among African Americans (AAs). The central goal of this project is to investigate the racial disparity of HCV mediated liver cancer. HCV infection mediated death rate among AA patients is about 2- fold higher than CA. Very little information is available about the underlying mechanisms of liver disease progression among chronically HCV infected ethnic groups. Our research proposal will examine this previously unexplored area of HCV mediated end stage liver disease among AA. microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in multi-step cell growth regulatory processes, and the relationship between chronic HCV infection and miRNA expression is of considerable interest in understanding virus mediated disease progression. Our preliminary data indicated a group of microRNAs modulated in chronically HCV infected AA sera as compared to that of CA. We hypothesize that these circulatory miRNAs can be potential predictive biomarker towards HCC development in HCV infected AA patients, and are involved deregulating hepatocyte growth. Thus, identification of predictive biomarkers for HCC and the underlying molecular mechanisms for race disparity will have a great translational benefit. Our long term objectives are to translae these findings from the laboratory to the bedside identifying predictive biomarker, and developing therapeutic modalities for HCV mediated liver disease progression. Impact: The results from this R21 exploratory proposal will have a high impact by investigating the role of miRNAs as genetic factors for understating racial disparity. Our research will explain why African Americans have higher incidence of HCV mediated liver cancer as compared to Caucasians.

Public Health Relevance

HCV infection is an independent risk factor for liver cancer. The primary goal of this project is to investigate the racial disparity of HCV mediated liver cancer. Successful completion of this study will have high beneficial impact in HCV infected African Americans by developing predictive biomarker and additional therapeutic modalities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21CA188472-02
Application #
9042988
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Wallace, Tiffany A
Project Start
2015-04-01
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Saint Louis University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
050220722
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63103