BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the course of patients with primary liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen has been debated. We used the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate 28 such patients for the presence of DNA and RNA sequences of the virus; 22 of these patients had associated cirrhosis. The patients were from areas with different prevalences of HBV infection (South Africa, Italy, France, and Japan). RESULTS: Antibodies to the surface and core antigens of HBV were detected in 10 of the 23 patients tested. HBV DNA sequences were detected in 17 of the 28 patients, including 8 of the 10 with HBV antibodies and 6 of 13 without HBV serologic markers. HBV RNA molecules were found in four of five tumors tested. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation indicates that transcriptionally active HBV genomes are present in various geographic areas among patients with liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. This observation is consistent with an etiologic role for the virus in the development of these tumors.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the course of patients with primary liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen has been debated. We used the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate 28 such patients for the presence of DNA and RNA sequences of the virus; 22 of these patients had associated cirrhosis. The patients were from areas with different prevalences of HBV infection (South Africa, Italy, France, and Japan). RESULTS: Antibodies to the surface and core antigens of HBV were detected in 10 of the 23 patients tested. HBV DNA sequences were detected in 17 of the 28 patients, including 8 of the 10 with HBV antibodies and 6 of 13 without HBV serologic markers. HBV RNA molecules were found in four of five tumors tested. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation indicates that transcriptionally active HBV genomes are present in various geographic areas among patients with liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. This observation is consistent with an etiologic role for the virus in the development of these tumors.
Authors: Giovanna Vona; Christophe Béroud; Alexandra Benachi; Alice Quenette; Jean Paul Bonnefont; Serge Romana; Yves Dumez; Bernard Lacour; Patrizia Paterlini-Bréchot Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 4.307
Authors: Antje Knöll; Arndt Hartmann; Harald Hamoshi; Karin Weislmaier; Wolfgang Jilg Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2006-02-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: H Unsal; C Yakicier; C Marçais; M Kew; M Volkmann; H Zentgraf; K J Isselbacher; M Ozturk Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1994-01-18 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Manal M Hassan; Donghui Li; Adel S El-Deeb; Robert A Wolff; Melissa L Bondy; Marta Davila; James L Abbruzzese Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2008-10-01 Impact factor: 44.544