High Level of Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen Associated With Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection of Intermediate Viral Load.
Adult
Biomarkers
/ blood
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
/ epidemiology
DNA, Circular
/ blood
DNA, Viral
/ blood
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B Antigens
/ blood
Hepatitis B virus
/ immunology
Hepatitis B, Chronic
/ blood
Humans
Incidence
Liver Neoplasms
/ epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Taiwan
/ epidemiology
Viral Load
ALT
ERADICATE-B Study
Liver Cancer
Virology
Journal
Gastroenterology
ISSN: 1528-0012
Titre abrégé: Gastroenterology
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0374630
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
12 2019
12 2019
Historique:
received:
28
04
2018
revised:
18
08
2019
accepted:
20
08
2019
pubmed:
31
8
2019
medline:
1
1
2020
entrez:
31
8
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum levels of HB core-related antigen (HBcrAg) have been associated with active replication of HBV. We investigated whether HBcrAg levels are associated with development of HCC, especially in patients who do not require antiviral treatment. We collected data from 2666 adults positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), infected with HBV genotypes B or C, and without liver cirrhosis, who had long-term follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1985 through 2000. None of the patients received antiviral treatment during the follow-up. Baseline levels of HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBcrAg were determined retrospectively and participants were followed for a mean of 15.95 years. The primary end point was an association between serum level of HBcrAg and HCC development. HCC developed in 209 patients in the cohort (incidence rate, 4.91 cases/1000 person-years). We found a positive association between baseline level of HBcrAg and HCC development; HBcrAg level was an independent risk factor in multivariable analysis. In the subgroup of hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients with HBV DNA levels from 2000 to 19,999 IU/mL (intermediate viral load [IVL]) and normal levels of alanine aminotransferase, HBcrAg levels of 10 KU/mL or more identified patients at increased risk of HCC (hazard ratio, 6.29; confidence interval, 2.27-17.48). Patients with an IVL and a high level of HBcrAg had a risk for HCC that did not differ significantly from that of patients with a high viral load (≥20,000 IU/mL). Patients with an IVL but a low level of HBcrAg had a low risk of HCC, with an annual incidence rate of 0.10% (95% confidence interval, 0.04%-0.24%). In a long-term follow-up study of 2666 patients with chronic HBV infection (genotypes B or C), level of HBcrAg is an independent risk factor of HCC. Moreover, HBcrAg level of 10 KU/mL identifies patients with an IVL who are at high risk for HCC.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum levels of HB core-related antigen (HBcrAg) have been associated with active replication of HBV. We investigated whether HBcrAg levels are associated with development of HCC, especially in patients who do not require antiviral treatment.
METHODS
We collected data from 2666 adults positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), infected with HBV genotypes B or C, and without liver cirrhosis, who had long-term follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1985 through 2000. None of the patients received antiviral treatment during the follow-up. Baseline levels of HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBcrAg were determined retrospectively and participants were followed for a mean of 15.95 years. The primary end point was an association between serum level of HBcrAg and HCC development.
RESULTS
HCC developed in 209 patients in the cohort (incidence rate, 4.91 cases/1000 person-years). We found a positive association between baseline level of HBcrAg and HCC development; HBcrAg level was an independent risk factor in multivariable analysis. In the subgroup of hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients with HBV DNA levels from 2000 to 19,999 IU/mL (intermediate viral load [IVL]) and normal levels of alanine aminotransferase, HBcrAg levels of 10 KU/mL or more identified patients at increased risk of HCC (hazard ratio, 6.29; confidence interval, 2.27-17.48). Patients with an IVL and a high level of HBcrAg had a risk for HCC that did not differ significantly from that of patients with a high viral load (≥20,000 IU/mL). Patients with an IVL but a low level of HBcrAg had a low risk of HCC, with an annual incidence rate of 0.10% (95% confidence interval, 0.04%-0.24%).
CONCLUSIONS
In a long-term follow-up study of 2666 patients with chronic HBV infection (genotypes B or C), level of HBcrAg is an independent risk factor of HCC. Moreover, HBcrAg level of 10 KU/mL identifies patients with an IVL who are at high risk for HCC.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31470004
pii: S0016-5085(19)41248-1
doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.08.028
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Biomarkers
0
DNA, Circular
0
DNA, Viral
0
Hepatitis B Antigens
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1518-1529.e3Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.