Oncogenic transcriptomic profile is sustained in the liver after the eradication of the hepatitis C virus

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developing after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication is a serious clinical concern. However, molecular basis for the hepatocarcinogenesis sustained virologic response (SVR) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to unveil transcriptomic profile of post-SVR liver tissues and explore molecules associated with carcinogenesis. We analysed 90 RNA sequencing datasets, consisting non-cancerous including 20 post-SVR, 40 HCV-positive 7 normal livers, along Huh7 cell line specimens before HCV infection eradication. Comparative analysis demonstrated that cycle- mitochondrial function-associated pathways were altered only in tissues, whereas some cancer-related up-regulated both cases. The persistent up-regulation carcinogenesis-associated gene clusters viral clearance was reconfirmed through vitro experiments, which, CYR61, fibrosis carcinogenesis several cancer types, top enriched co-expressed proliferation-associated modules. To evaluate whether molecule could be predictor cure infection, also examined 127 sera from independent cohorts treated direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), 60 post-SVR-HCC patients, found elevated serum Cyr61 significantly early receiving DAA therapy. conclusion, oncogenic profiles are eradication, which might development even clearance. Among them, CYR61 possible biomarker post-SVR-HCC.