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A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Hepatitis C virus in elderly cancer patients
Mariano Malaguarnera1, Maria Pia Gargante, Corrado Risino
1Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy. malaguar@unict.it
European Journal of Internal Medicine
|July 26, 2006
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is significantly more common in elderly cancer patients (36%) than in healthy volunteers (10%). This finding suggests a potential link between HCV and various cancers beyond liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the association between Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and the development of non-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) tumors.
- This study investigates the prevalence of HCV infection in elderly individuals diagnosed with various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among elderly cancer patients with diverse tumor types.
- To compare HCV infection rates in elderly cancer patients versus a control group of healthy elderly volunteers.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 236 elderly cancer patients with various non-HCC/NHL tumors (e.g., colorectal, breast, bladder, prostate, lung, kidney) was assessed.
- HCV antibody status was determined and compared to 300 elderly healthy volunteers.
Main Results:
- HCV antibodies were detected in 36% (87/236) of elderly cancer patients.
- HCV antibodies were detected in 10% (32/300) of the control group, a statistically significant difference (p<0.001).
- Elevated HCV prevalence was notably observed in patients with kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Elderly cancer patients exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of HCV infection.
- Potential contributing factors include increased hospitalizations and altered immune responses in cancer patients, potentially increasing susceptibility to HCV.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering HCV screening in elderly cancer patients, particularly those with specific tumor types.
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