| Institution: | 1. Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan;2. Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Research Promotion Center, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan;3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan;4. Department of Infection Control and Prevention, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan;1. Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA;2. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA;3. Division of Laboratory Medicine and Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA;4. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA;1. Division of General and Transplant Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy;2. Division of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy;1. Providence St. John''s Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA;2. Providence Health and Services, Beaverton, OR, USA |
| Abstract: | BackgroundWe assessed whether or not covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels in the background liver influence the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.MethodsAmong 425 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between 2010 and 2018, a retrospective review was performed in 44 with resolved HBV infection. The clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed for correlation with tumor recurrence. The HBV cccDNA levels were tested via a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay.ResultsHBV cccDNA was detected in 27 of 44 patients (61%), and the median level was 1.0 copies/1000 ng (range, 0-931.3 copies/1000 ng). Anti-HBc ≥8.9 S/CO was associated with cccDNA detection (odds ratio, 11.08; 95% confidence interval 95% CI], 2.48-49.46; P = 0.002). Twenty-eight patients (64%) developed HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. The overall 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 45.7% and 34.3%, respectively.19 HBV cccDNA levels was not significantly associated with HCC recurrence, while the presence of multiple tumors was an independent risk fact or (hazard ratio, 6.53; 95% CI, 2.48-17.19; P < 0.001.ConclusionHBV cccDNA levels did not influence HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. Anti-HBc levels may be used as a surrogate marker for cccDNA. |
