Basal core promoter mutation is associated with progression to cirrhosis rather than hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Br J Cancer. 2012 Dec 4;107(12):2010-5. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2012.474. Epub 2012 Oct 18.

Abstract

Background: As most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have concurrent cirrhosis, viral factors identified to be associated with HCC might be related to cirrhosis rather than HCC.

Methods: Hepatitis B virus DNA levels, genotypes and precore/basal core promoter (BCP) mutants were compared between cirrhotic HCC and non-cirrhotic HCC patients. Age- and sex-matched case-control studies were performed to identify the risk factors.

Results: Hepatitis B virus DNA levels showed no significant difference between non-cirrhotic HCC patients (n=20) and cirrhotic HCC patients (n=140) or 1 : 3 age- and sex-matched cirrhotic HCC patients (n=60), but genotype C and BCP mutant were significantly more prevalent in the latter than in the former. In multiple logistic regression, BCP mutant but not genotype C correlated significantly with the presence of cirrhosis in HCC patients. Compared with inactive carriers (n=60), non-cirrhotic HCC patients (n=20) had significantly higher HBV DNA levels but no difference in HBV genotypes and precore/BCP mutants. Furthermore, HBV DNA levels, the distribution of HBV genotypes and the prevalence of precore/BCP mutants all failed to show any significant difference between cirrhotic HCC patients (n=60) and cirrhotic patients without HCC (n=60).

Conclusion: Basal core promoter mutant is associated with progression to cirrhosis rather than HCC in chronic HBV infection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic* / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Viral