Elucidation of the alcohol effect on tumor suppressor genes

Project Summary Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is known to cause multiple diseases including alcohol- related liver disease and liver cancer. It is estimated that approximately 25% of cirrhosis deaths and ~20% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related deaths in the world are associated with alcohol. However, the pathogenesis of the alcohol-related HCC remains incompletely understood. Tumor suppressor genes are known to have protective functions against cancer development. But very little is known which tumor suppressor genes are crucial in the alcohol-related HCC. In this application, we will use both candidate and systemic approaches to identify and characterize key tumor suppressor genes and their roles in the alcohol-related HCC development. It is expected that the findings from this innovative research will provide insights into risk assessment, HCC prevention, and therapeutic development.