Variants Identified by Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Susceptibility GWAS Associated with Survival in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several common susceptibility loci associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). However, the relationship between these genetic variants and survival of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC is still unknown. In this study, 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped among 330 HBV-related HCC patients using the MassARRAY system from Sequenom. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effects of genotype on survival time under an additive model with age, sex, smoking status and clinical stage as covariates. We identified four SNPs on 6p21 (rs1419881 T>C, rs7453920 G>A,rs3997872 G>A and rs7768538 T>C), and two SNPs on 8p12 (rs2275959 C>T and rs7821974 C>T) significantly associated with survival time of HBV-related HCC patients. Our results suggest that HCC or CHB susceptibility loci might also affect the prognosis of patients with HBV-related HCC.     

Cirrhosis,Liver Transplantation and HIV Infection Are Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis E Virus Infection

Background

Acute and chronic hepatitis E have been associated with high mortality and development of cirrhosis, particularly in solid-organ recipients and patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus. However, data regarding the epidemiology of hepatitis E in special populations is still limited.

Aims

Investigate seroprevalence and possible factors associated with HEV infection in a large cohort of immunosuppressed patients.

Methods

Cross-sectional study testing IgG anti-HEV in serum samples from 1373 consecutive individuals: 332 liver-transplant, 296 kidney-transplant, 6 dual organ recipients, 301 non-transplanted patients with chronic liver disease, 238 HIV-infected patients and 200 healthy controls.

Results

IgG anti-HEV was detected in 3.5% controls, 3.7% kidney recipients, 7.4% liver transplant without cirrhosis and 32.1% patients who developed post-transplant cirrhosis (p<0.01). In patients with chronic liver disease, IgG anti-HEV was also statistically higher in those with liver cirrhosis (2% vs 17.5%, p<0.01). HIV-infected patients showed an IgG anti-HEV rate of 9.2%, higher than those patients without HIV infection (p<0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that the factors independently associated with anti-HEV detection were liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation and HIV infection (OR: 7.6, 3.1 and 2.4). HCV infection was a protective factor for HEV infection (OR: 0.4).

Conclusions

HEV seroprevalence was high in liver transplant recipients, particularly those with liver cirrhosis. The difference in anti-HEV prevalence between Liver and Kidney transplanted cases suggests an association with advanced liver disease. Further research is needed to ascertain whether cirrhosis is a predisposing factor for HEV infection or whether HEV infection may play a role in the pathogeneses of cirrhosis.     

Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in HBsAg-Negative Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background & Aims

Despite increasing attention to hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in hematologic settings, information on reactivation in hepatitis B surface (HBsAg)-negative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-negative patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods

A total of 109 HBsAg-negative patients with HCC were consecutively recruited for this study and treated with either mono- (n = 75), combination-drug TACE (n = 20), or combination-drug TACE plus radiotherapy (n = 14). With serial monitoring of virological markers every 2–3 months, patients were observed for HBV reactivation (defined as the reappearance of HBV DNA or sero-reversion of HBsAg) in comparison with control subjects with HBsAg-negative cirrhosis (n = 16) or HBsAg loss (n = 46).

Results

During the study period, HBV reactivation occurred in 12 (11.0%) and 1 (1.6%) patients in the TACE and control groups, respectively. The median level of HBV DNA at reactivation was 5,174 copies/ml (range: 216–116,058). Of the 12 patients with HBV reactivation, four (33.3%) developed clinical hepatitis, including one patient who suffered from decompensation. All antiviral-treated patients achieved undetectable HBV DNA or HBsAg loss after commencement of antiviral drugs. TACE was significantly correlated with a high incidence of HBV reactivation, with increasing risk of reactivation with intensive treatment. On multivariate analysis, treatment intensity and a prior history of chronic hepatitis B remained independently predictive of reactivation.

Conclusions

TACE can reactivate HBV replication in HBsAg-negative patients, with a dose-risk relationship between treatment intensity and reactivation. Patients with prior chronic HBV infection who are to undergo intensive TACE should be closely monitored, with an alternative approach of antiviral prophylaxis against HBV reactivation.     

Distinct Distribution Pattern of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype C and D in Liver Tissue and Serum of Dual Genotype Infected Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Aims

The impact of co-infection of several hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes on the clinical outcome remains controversial. This study has for the first time investigated the distribution of HBV genotypes in the serum and in the intrahepatic tissue of liver cirrhotic (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from India. In addition, the genotype-genotype interplay and plausible mechanism of development of HCC has also been explored.

Methods

The assessment of HBV genotypes was performed by nested PCR using either surface or HBx specific primers from both the circulating virus in the serum and replicative virus that includes covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) of HBV from the intrahepatic tissue. The integrated virus within the host chromosome was genotyped by Alu-PCR method. Each PCR products were cloned and sequences of five randomly selected clones were subsequently analysed.

Results

HBV/genotype D was detected in the serum of all LC and HCC patients whereas the sequences of the replicative HBV DNA (cccDNA and rcDNA) from the intrahepatic tissue of the same patients revealed the presence of both HBV/genotype C and D. The sequences of the integrated viruses exhibited the solo presence of HBV/genotype C in the majority of LC and HCC tissues while both HBV/genotype C and D clones were found in few patients in which HBV/genotype C was predominated. Moreover, compared to HBV/genotype D, genotype C had higher propensity to generate double strand breaks, ER stress and reactive oxygen species and it had also showed higher cellular homologous-recombination efficiency that engendered more chromosomal rearrangements, which ultimately led to development of HCC.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the necessity of routine analysis of HBV genotype from the liver tissue of each chronic HBV infected patient in clinical practice to understand the disease prognosis and also to select therapeutic strategy.     

乙型肝炎病毒变异与肝细胞癌发生关系

乙型肝炎病毒（hepatitisBvirus,HBV）基因组复制时,以病毒前基因组RNA作为模板合成子代病毒DNA,催化该过程的逆转录酶缺乏校对功能,所以HBV易出现变异。近年来,各国学者通过比较肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC）患者和非HCC患者的HBV基因序列,发现HBV基本核心启动子区的A1762T／G1764A变异或T1753V变异、增强子Ⅰ区的G1053A或G1229A变异、前S蛋白的F141L变异、前s2区基因缺失变异和x基因的截短变异,分别是HCC的易患因素,而前c区常见的G1896A变异,与HCC的发生无关。增强子Ⅱ区的C1653T变异在c基因HBV感染中可能与发生HCC有关,而在A基因型可能无关。     

乙型肝炎病毒感染与肝细胞癌病例对照研究

原发性肝细胞癌(Hepatocellular Carcinoma,HCC)是我国乃至世界上最常见、最具有危害性的恶性肿瘤之一,我国每年新发病例约占全球45％,在恶性肿瘤的年死亡率分别占农村和城市恶性肿瘤死亡率的第一和第二位,严重危害劳动人民的健康与生命安全。本研究于2003年7-9月间对武汉地     

乙型肝炎病毒感染与肝细胞癌病例对照研究

原发性肝细胞癌(Hepatocellular Carcinoma,HCC)是我国乃至世界上最常见、最具有危害性的恶性肿瘤之一[1,2],我国每年新发病例约占全球45%,在恶性肿瘤的年死亡率分别占农村和城市恶性肿瘤死亡率的第一和第二位,严重危害劳动人民的健康与生命安全.本研究于2003年7-9月间对武汉地区原发性肝癌患者进行了危险因素调查,为探索病因和发病机制以及制定原发性肝癌的防治策略提供参考依据,以利于进一步做好市民的卫生保健工作.     

脾切除术对肝炎后肝硬化患者肝癌发生的影响

目的:观察脾切断流术对肝硬化门静脉高压症患者肝功的影响.方法:回顾分析2010.4-2011.12在我科住院的肝硬化门静脉高压症患者行脾切除术前后肝功能的变化.应用超声多普勒分别检测手术前后门静脉血流量(PVF)、肝动脉血流量(HAF),术中水柱法测量自由门静脉压力(FPP);回顾分析(通过对病历查阅获取)上述患者Child分级指标以及肝功能指标.用SAS 8.0对获取的指标采用配对资料t检验和卡方检验.结果:肝硬化门静脉高压症患者共480例,行脾脏切除加贲门周围血管离断术450例,单纯脾切除30例.PVF由术前的(1368± 402)ml/min减少至术后的(986± 295)ml/min(P＜0.01);HAF由术前的(412± 68)ml/min增加至术后的(526± 132)ml/min(P＜0.01);FPP由术前的(30± 6)cm H2O降至术后的(26± 5)cm H2O(P＜0.01).R15 ICG由术前的(18±8)％降至术后的(16±7)％(P＞0.05).肝功能Child分级A级患者比率由术前85％增加至术后95％(P＜0.01).其它肝脏功能指标如总胆红素、凝血酶原延长时间以及腹水消失率都明显好转.结论:脾切断流术后门静脉血流量虽然减少,但是肝动脉血流量增加及术后门体分流减少均有利于肝功能恢复.     

The Association of IL28B Polymorphism and Graft Survival in Patients with Hepatitis C Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of liver transplantation (LT) in Western countries. Polymorphism in the IL28B gene region has a major impact on the natural history and response to antiviral treatment in HCV. We investigated whether IL28B polymorphism was associated with graft survival in patients with or without HCV undergoing LT. 1,060 adult patients (age >18 years) underwent LT between years 2000 and 2008. Patients with previous LT, living donor LT and patients dying or requiring retransplants within 30 days of LT were excluded. DNA samples of 620 (84%) recipients and 377 (51%) donors were available for genotyping of IL28B rs12979860C>T. Donor IL28B genotypes had no significant differences in graft survival irrespective of HCV status. There was no difference in graft outcome in the non-HCV cohort (n = 293) based on recipient IL28B genotype. In the HCV group (n = 327), recipients with CC or CT genotype had better graft survival compared to TT genotype (62% vs. 48%, p = 0.02). HCV recipients with CC or CT genotype had delayed time to clinically relevant HCV recurrence compared to TT (10.4 vs. 6.7 months, p = 0.002). The beneficial effect of the CC/CT genotype on HCV recurrence and graft survival was independent of antiviral treatment. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that in contrast to donor IL28B genotype recipient IL28B was associated with graft survival and clinically relevant HCV recurrence in HCV infected recipients. No effect of IL28B genotype was manifest in non-HCV LT recipients.     

抗病毒护肝治疗乙肝合并肺结核患者的疗效研究

目的:研究抗病毒及护肝治疗在肺结核(Tuberculosis,TB)合并乙肝病毒感染(Hepatitis B virus infection,HBVI)患者中的疗效。方法:选择2012年6月至2013年6月本院收治TB合并HBVI患者96例,以数字表法随机分成观察组(50例)及对照组(46例)。对照组患者予以抗病毒、抗结核治疗,观察组基于此方案另予以药物甘利欣。对比两组患者的临床疗效、肝功能指标及炎症反应。结果:观察组患者丙氨酸转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸转氨酶(Aspartate aminotransferase,AST)及总胆红素(Total bilirubin,T-Bil)水平在治疗第15天和第30天均显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者治疗后血清透明质酸(Hyaluronic acid,HA),IV型胶原(IV Collagen,IV-C)及III型前胶原(Procollagen III,PCIII)较治疗前显著降低,且显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。对照组治疗后血清HA显著降低,其余指标无统计学差异(P>0.05)。观察组疗效显著优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:抗病毒及护肝方案对TB合并HBVI患者具有显著的临床疗效,能够缓解肝损害,值得临床推荐。     

Association of Early Age at Establishment of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection with Persistent Viral Replication,Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Age at infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a known risk factor for chronic HBV infection. However, in addition, there is some evidence that early age at infection further increases the risk of primary liver cancer beyond its association with increased risk of chronic infection. This systematic review of observational studies assesses the association between age at initiation of chronic HBV infection and liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and their predictors including indicators of ongoing viral replication and hepatic damage. The review includes birth order and maternal HBV serology as proxies for age at infection. Electronic searches in two English-language (Medline and Embase, until Jan 2012) and two Chinese-language (CNKI and SinoMed, until Sep 2012) databases without language restriction and manual search through reference lists identified 7,077 papers, of which 19 studies of 21 outcomes (8 primary liver cancer, 1 liver cirrhosis, 10 viral replication and 2 liver inflammation) are included. One study directly examined the age at infection in a longitudinal cohort, 12 assessed maternal sero-status and 6 investigated birth order. The direction of associations in all studies was in accordance with our hypothesis that earlier age at infection is associated with worse outcomes in addition to its effect of increasing the probability of chronic HBV infection. This has implications for the control of hepatitis B.     

Assessment of the Fecal Lactobacilli Population in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Decompensated Cirrhosis and Hepatitis B Cirrhosis Treated with Liver Transplant

This study aims to provide an overview of the diversity of intestinal Lactobacillus among Chinese patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis and who received liver transplant for hepatitis B cirrhosis. Fecal samples were collected from 38 healthy volunteers, 61 patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis (group LC) and 74 patients who had liver transplant for hepatitis B cirrhosis (group LT). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology with species-specific primers was applied to investigate lactobacilli 16S rDNA in crude DNA, extracted from fecal samples. Software package Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Palaeontological Statistics for Windows was used to analyze the data. Lactobacilli population of the two patient groups was different from the healthy control subjects, principal differences being marked decrease in the population of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (p?Lactobacillus fermentus (p?p?p?p?相似文献   

胆碱酯酶在乙肝肝硬化患者肝脏储备功能的评估应用

目的:研究胆碱酯酶(CHE)在评估乙肝肝硬化患者肝脏储备功能中的应用价值。方法:收集501例肝硬化患者病例,并根据肝脏功能进行Child分级。应用全动自动生化分析仪,以酶速率比色法检测胆碱酯酶(CHE),溴甲酚绿法检测白蛋白(ALB),凝固法检测凝血酶原时间(PTs)。应用方差分析,研究胆碱酯酶(CHE)在不同CHILD分级组别中的肝功能评价意义。应用相关分析方法,比较胆碱酯酶(CHE)与其他肝脏合成指标白蛋白(ALB)、凝血酶原时间(PTs)的相关性。结果:肝硬化患者在严格Child-Pugh分级标准划分而成的ABC三级中,各级胆碱酯酶(CHE)活性逐级明显下降,分别为5469.04±1777.31 U/L(Child A),2935.08±1206.95 U/L(Child B),1810.40±724.72 U/L(Child C),且结果差异有显著意义(F=261.114,P=0.000)。在肝硬化患者中,胆碱酯酶(CHE)与白蛋白(ALB)总体正相关、与凝血酶原时间(PTs)总体负相关。其中Child A级患者中,CHE与ALB成正相关,与PTs负相关。Child B级患者中,CHE与PTs负相关,但与ALB无显著相关性。Child C级患者中,CHE与ALB正相关,但与PTs无显著相关性。结论:胆碱酯酶(CHE)与肝硬化患者肝细胞损害的严重程度相关,可反映肝脏的储备功能,与白蛋白(ALB)、凝血酶原时间(PTs)有同样重要的价值。     

Comparison of Long-Term Survival of Patients with BCLC Stage B Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Resection or Transarterial Chemoembolization

Background and Aims

Treatment of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC-B HCC) is controversial. This study compared the long-term survival of patients with BCLC-B HCC who received liver resection (LR) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods

A total of 257 and 135 BCLC-B HCC patients undergoing LR and TACE, respectively, were retrospectively evaluated. Kaplan–Meier method was used for long-term survival analysis. Independent prognostic predictors were determined by the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The hospital mortality rate was similar between groups (3.1% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.76). However, the LR group showed a significantly higher postoperative complication rate than the TACE group (28 vs. 18.5%; P = 0.04). At the same time, the LR group showed significantly higher overall survival rates (1 year, 84 vs. 69%; 3 years, 59 vs. 29%; 5 years, 37 vs. 14%; P<0.001). Moreover, similar results were observed in the propensity score model. Three independent prognostic factors were associated with worse overall survival: serum AFP level (≥400 ng/ml), serum ALT level, and TACE.

Conclusions

LR appears to be as safe as TACE for patients with BCLC-B HCC, and it provides better long-term overall survival. However, prospective studies are needed to disclose if LR may be regarded as the preferred treatment for these patients as long as liver function is preserved.     

乙肝病毒与原发性肝癌的相关风险研究

为了解慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染与原发性肝癌的关系,本文采用回顾性研究方法对328例原发性肝癌病人与同期收治的340例非肝癌的其他消化道肿瘤病人的乙型肝炎病毒感染血清标志物(HBV M)及肝功能检测结果进行对比分析.结果显示肝癌组乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性率(63.11%)显著高于非肝癌组(消化道其他肿瘤对照组)(11.47%).肝癌组慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染"HBsAg、抗-HBe和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性者"(37.2%)显著高于"HBsAg、HBeAg和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性者"(6.4%).肝功能检测结果,"HBsAg、HBeAg和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性组"与"HBsAg、HBeAg和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性组"比较无显著性差异(P＞0.05),而肝癌组与非肝癌组比较,肝癌组肝损害显著高于非肝癌组(P＜0.01).表明慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染在原发性肝癌病因学中起着十分重要的作用,"HBsAg、抗-HBe和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性者"是原发性肝癌的高危人群.     

乙肝病毒与原发性肝癌的相关风险研究

为了解慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染与原发性肝癌的关系,本文采用回顾性研究方法对 328 例原发性肝癌病人与同期收治的 340 例非肝癌的其他消化道肿瘤病人的乙型肝炎病毒感染血清标志物(HBV M)及肝功能检测结果进行对比分析。结果显示肝癌组乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性率(63.11%)显著高于非肝癌组(消化道其他肿瘤对照组)(11.47%)。肝癌组慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染“HBsAg、抗-HBe 和抗-HBc 三者均表达为阳性者”(37.2%)显著高于“HBsAg、HBeAg 和抗-HBc 三者均表达为阳性者”(6.4%)。肝功能检测结果,“HBsAg、HBeAg 和抗-HBc三者均表达为阳性组”与“HBsAg、HBeAg 和抗-HBc 三者均表达为阳性组”比较无显著性差异(P>0.05),而肝癌组与非肝癌组比较,肝癌组肝损害显著高于非肝癌组(P<0.01)。表明慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染在原发性肝癌病因学中起着十分重要的作用,“HBsAg、抗-HBe 和抗-HBc 三者均表达为阳性者”是原发性肝癌的高危人群。     

Investigation of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Anti-HBc Positive Patients from a Liver Clinic

Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is manifested by presence of very low levels (<200IU/mL) of Hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) in the blood and the liver while exhibiting undetectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The molecular mechanisms underlying this occurrence are still not completely understood. This study investigated the prevalence of OBI in a high-risk Australian population and compared the HBV S gene sequences of our cohort with reference sequences. Serum from HBV DNA positive, HBsAg negative, and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive patients (study cohort) were obtained from samples tested at SEALS Serology Laboratory using the Abbott Architect, as part of screening and diagnostic testing. From a total of 228,108 samples reviewed, 1,451 patients were tested for all three OBI markers. Only 10 patients (0.69%) out of the 1,451 patients were found to fit the selection criteria for OBI. Sequence analysis of the HBV S gene from 5 suspected OBI infected patients showed increased sequence variability in the ‘a’ epitope of the major hydrophilic region compared to reference sequences. In addition, a total of eight consistent nucleotide substitutions resulting in seven amino acid changes were observed, and three patients had truncated S gene sequence. These mutations appeared to be stable and may result in alterations in HBsAg conformation. These may negatively impact the affinity of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and may explain the false negative results in serological HBV diagnosis. These changes may also enable the virus to persist in the liver by evading immune surveillance. Further studies on a bigger cohort are required to determine whether these amino acid variations have been acquired in the process of immune escape and serve as markers of OBI.