IKK/NF-κB system protects from Hepatitis B surface antigen-induced hepatocarcinogenesis

Background and aims: The NF-κB transcription factors are constitutively activated in many tumors, where they are thought to provide a critical survival signal for cancer cells. Accordingly, an inhibition of NF-κB signaling is considered a potential approach in anti-tumor therapy. We studied the oncogenic role NF-κB signaling in hepatocytes and immune cells using animals overexpressing hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), an established model of virus-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Methods: HBsAg-overexpressing mice were crossed with animals overexpressing a dominant negative mutant of IKK2 (IKK2DN) under th…