The Role of Aurora Kinase A in HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinomas: A Molecular and Immunohistochemical Study

<b>Objectives:</b> Although Aurora kinase A (AURKA) expression has been investigated in many cancer types, studies focusing on its role in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) are limited. In this study, we examined the activity of AURKA and its substrates (PLK1, P53, and BRCA1) in HBV-HCC and cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma (Cr-HCC) cases. <b>Methods:</b> The study groups consisted of HBV-HCC, Cr-HCC, and healthy liver tissue cases. AURKA copy number variation (CNV) was analyzed using molecular methods. AURKA expression was evaluated by molecular and immunohistochemical (IHC) methods. AURKA substrates P53^Ser315, PLK1^Thr210, and BRCA1 were also analyzed by IHC. <b>Results:</b> There was no increase in AURKA gene copy number among the groups (2^-∆∆Ct < 2). AURKA level was significantly increased in both test groups (<i>p</i> < 0.001). At the protein level, AURKA was significantly higher in both cancer groups compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Phospho-P53^Ser315 levels were significantly higher in both HBV-HCC and Cr-HCC groups compared to the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.002 and <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively). Cr-HCC cases also showed significantly higher levels compared to HBV-HCC (<i>p</i> = 0.025). For phospho-PLK1^Thr210, Cr-HCC cases showed statistically higher expression compared to both the control group and HBV-HCC cases (<i>p</i> = 0.001).