# Identification of genes associated with hepatitis B virus infection and breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression

## TL;DR

This study explores how Hepatitis B virus infection may influence breast cancer development and progression by analyzing gene expression patterns.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genes associated with HBV infection and breast cancer progression using RNA seq data.

## Key findings

- Seven genes (BIRC5, CASP3, CCNA2, CCNE1, CXCL8, CYCS, E2F1) are linked to worse survival in breast cancer patients.
- HBV infection increases expression of genes like CDK2, PCNA, CCNE2, CXCL8, E2F1, and CASP3 in breast cancer cells.
- HBV-related genes may contribute to breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression.

## Abstract

Studies found that Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might be a risk factor for breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression, but the potential mechanism of HBV in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression was unclear. Our study aimed to understand the interplay between HBV infections and breast cancer via RNA seq data analysis.

We searched GEO databases for related databases. Those datasets that analyzed RNAseq data between breast cancer tissues and normal breast tissues or with prognostic information were included. In vivo cell experiments were conducted to validate the effect of HBV infection on breast cancer cells.

We retrieved 20 databases (2206 breast cancer tissues and 860 normal breast tissues) for differentiated expressed genes (DEGs) between breast cancer tissues and normal breast tissues. 54 datasets for survival analysis (14,518 breast cancer patients) were obtained. Higher expression of seven genes (BIRC5, CASP3, CCNA2, CCNE1, CXCL8, CYCS, E2F1) were associated with worse survival. HBV infection may lead to increased expression levels of several key genes in breast cancer cell lines, including CDK2, PCNA, CCNE2, CXCL8, E2F1, and CASP3.

HBV might lead to the changes of some genes in breast tissues, which might participate in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression.

•Some of HBV-related genes exhibit differences between breast cancer tissues and normal tissues.•HBV-related genes may be linked to survival outcomes in breast cancer patients.•HBV-related genes may play a role in the tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer.

Some of HBV-related genes exhibit differences between breast cancer tissues and normal tissues.

HBV-related genes may be linked to survival outcomes in breast cancer patients.

HBV-related genes may play a role in the tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer.