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Hepatitis B virus profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Philippines
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is closely linked to liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) in the Philippines. Higher rates of HBV markers were found in HCC patients compared to controls, indicating a strong association.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, often linked to chronic viral infections.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a primary cause of HCC worldwide, but its specific epidemiological profile in certain populations requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and profile of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection markers in Filipino patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- To compare HBV serological profiles between HCC patients and healthy controls in the Philippines to understand the association.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing for HBV markers including HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBeAg, and anti-HBe.
- Analysis of HBV exposure rates and current infection prevalence in 104 HCC patients and 84 controls.
- Statistical comparison of marker positivity and antibody titers between HCC patients and control groups, stratified by gender where applicable.
Main Results:
- HCC patients exhibited significantly higher positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBe, HBV exposure, and current infection compared to controls.
- Male HCC patients showed significantly lower anti-HBs positivity than controls, with a unique observation of simultaneous HBsAg and anti-HBs presence.
- Mean anti-HBc titers were elevated in HCC patients regardless of HBsAg/anti-HBs status, and anti-HBe positivity patterns differed between infected/non-infected HCC patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of HBV markers and specific antibody responses in Filipino HCC patients strongly suggests a significant etiological role of HBV in liver cancer development in this region.
- The distinct serological profiles observed in HCC patients underscore the importance of HBV screening and management in liver cancer prevention strategies within the Philippines.
Abstract:
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) profile was investigated in 104 age-grouped hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 84 controls from the Philippines. The HCC-control percent positivities of the HBV parameters are: HBsAg: 70-18; anti-HBs: 25-37; anti-HBs: 25-37; anti-HBc: 94-35; HBeAg: 5-2; anti-HBe: 60-30; HBV exposure rate: 97-57; current infection: 80-31. Male HCC anti-HBs positivity is significantly lower than in controls. Female HCC patients' anti-HBs are also lower than controls, but this difference is not statistically significant. Simultaneous presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was found only in male HCC patients. The mean anti-HBc titer of anti-HBs-positive HCC is higher than that of controls. That of HCC patients negative for both HBsAg and anti-HBs is also higher than the corresponding controls. Anti-HBe positivities of infected and noninfected but previously exposed HCC patients are not significantly different, in contrast to noninfected previously exposed controls whose anti-HBe is lower than those with current infection. The exposure rate prevalence of current infection, and the antibody responses to HBV of HCC patients suggested a close relationship between the two conditions in the Philippines.