“We needed a way to initiate this project,” says Xianfang Wu, PhD, MBBS. “So, the VeloSano grant was perfect, and we are so grateful. We are hoping to get a larger NIH grant in the future.”
Liver cancer is a significant global health concern, with more than half of all cases linked to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Additionally, about one in three people are infected with HBV. Xianfang Wu, PhD, MBBS, is looking into the complexities surrounding this virus, how it affects liver cells and how it relates to the development of liver cancer.
“Even though we have studied this virus for decades, we are still trying to understand what are the factors that determine why some patients develop liver cancer and some do not,” says Dr. Wu.
Figuring out this impact is tricky because the virus is very specific to human liver cells. Dr. Wu and his team have developed a special culture system that mimics the environment of the liver, which allows them to study how different HBV genotypes alter cells and lead to cancer development.
The goal of the study is twofold. First, they aim to understand how different types of HBV contribute to the transformation of liver cells. Second, they are delving into the details of how HBV triggers these cells to become cancerous. Dr. Wu hopes to pinpoint individual factors that make some people more susceptible to cancer, leading to more personalized treatments and better outcomes.
100% For The Cure
