Relation
between HBV "X" Gene Integration and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
 |
3-D
Model of
Hepatitis B Virus |
Some
individuals have "occult" or hidden hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection,
characterized by low-level detectable HBV genetic material (DNA) in the blood
or liver, but undetectable serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It is unclear
whether people with occult hepatitis B have a higher risk of developing liver
cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
As reported in the January
2008 Journal of Hepatology, Japanese researchers analyzed the integration
of a specific HBV gene, "HBV-X," into hepatocytes of 39 HBV negative
chronic hepatitis C patients with mild fibrosis. HBV-X integration was determined
by PCR analysis of liver specimens obtained by fine-needle biopsy. Participants
were prospectively followed over 12 years for the development of HCC.
Results
•
Integration of HBV-X gene
sequences into liver genomes was observed in 9 of the 39 patients.
•
6 of the 39 developed HCC
during the 12-year follow-up period.
•
There was no significant difference
in the incidence of HCC between patients with and without HBV-X integration.
•
However, the 2 patients with
HBV-X integration who developed HCC did not have cirrhosis when HCC was diagnosed.
•
By contrast, the 4 HCC patients
without HBV-X integration did have cirrhosis at the time of HCC diagnosis.
Conclusion
 |
Hepatocellular
Cardinoma Cell |
"Our
findings suggest that HBV-X integration detected at the mild fibrosis stage might
not indicate a high risk for HCC," the authors concluded. "HBV-X integration
may be associated with HCC development in the absence of cirrhosis."
However,
they added, "we did not find evidence that HBV-X integration directly plays
a role in hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Further studies
will be needed to clarify this point."
1/15/08
Reference
H
Toyoda, T Kumada, Y Kaneoka, and others. Impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene
integration in liver tissue on hepatocellular carcinoma development in serologically
HBV-negative chronic hepatitis C patients. Journal of Hepatology 48(1):
43-50. January 2008.
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