Pathological significances and therapeutic potential of targeting FACT complex in liver cancer

Dr Wong, Chun Ming   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Professor Ng Irene Oi Lin   (Co-Investigator)

30

2018-07-01

1130048

Pathological significances and therapeutic potential of targeting FACT complex in liver cancer

Epigenetics, FACT complex, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Histone Chaperone, SSRP1, SUPT16H

Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health

05161786

Health and Medical Research Fund - Full Grant

2017

Completed

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third lethal cancer worldwide and accounts for more than 600,000 deaths annually. The high mortality of HCC is due mainly to the lack of early diagnosis tools and effective therapeutic interventions. Thus far, only one molecular targeted drug, Sorafenib, has been approved by FDA for the treatment of advanced HCC. Nevertheless, the overall survival benefit of Sorafenib is not satisfactory and drug resistance has been reported in HCC patients. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying liver carcinogenesis may shed light to the development of novel HCC diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Epigenetic deregulation is a major driving force for human carcinogenesis. We and other previously demonstrated that aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications play a critical role in HCC development. However, the role of chromatin remodeling in liver carcinogenesis remain to be elucidated.