肝动脉化疗栓塞术对肝细胞癌患者肝功能和血清HBV DNA的影响

目的观察经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗肝细胞癌患者肝功能和HBV DNA的变化。方法检测64例肝细胞癌患者在肝动脉化疗栓塞术前后HBV DNA定量及肝功能的变化。结果 64例患者在TACE术前HBV DNA阳性42例(65.6%)。术后2例HBV DNA由阴性转为阳性,21例HBV DNA升高10倍以上。TACE术前42例HBV DNA阳性患者HBV DNA定量为4.3±0.5×104copies/ml,术后44例为6.1±0.4×105copies/ml(P0.05)。HBV激活患者术后肝功能出现明显损害。结论肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗将引起肝细胞癌患者HBV激活,可能加重肝功能损害,应引起高度重视。     

乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌患者预后的多因素分析

目的探讨影响乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌(HCC)患者预后的因素。方法 2008年1月～2015年11月在上海瑞金医院确诊和治疗的乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者469例,根据血清HBV DNA水平将患者分为高病毒载量组(HBV DNA≥1×10~4 copies/ml)和低病毒载量组(HBV DNA1×10~4copies/ml),比较两组患者肝功能、甲胎蛋白、应用核苷或核苷酸类(NAs)治疗、巴塞罗那分期对生存时间的影响。结果在入组的469例患者中,低病毒载量组243例(51.8%),高病毒载量组226例(48.2%);低病毒载量组平均年龄为54±10岁,高病毒载量组平均年龄为52±10岁,无显著差异(P0.05);在低病毒载量组中男性213例(87.7%),女性30例(12.3%),而在高病毒载量组中分别为205例(90.7%)和21例(9.2%,P0.05);低病毒载量组血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)水平显著低于高病毒载量组(P0.05);低病毒载量组平均生存时间为(1144±732) d,显著长于高病毒载量组[(496±278) d,P0.05];单因素分析发现影响乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者预后的因素包括是否接受NAs抗病毒治疗(P0.01)、血清AFP≥40μg/L(P0.05)、血清ALT≥64 IU/L(P0.01)、血清AST≥40 IU/L(P0.001)、血清总胆红素≥24μmol/L(P0.001)、血清直接胆红素≥6.8μmol/L (P0.001)、血清HBV DNA≥1×10~4 copies/ml (P0.001);经多因素分析,发现BCLC分期为晚期(HR为1.84,CI为1.57～2.15,P0.001)、未接受NAs治疗(P0.01)、血清AST≥40 IU/L(P0.05)和HBV DNA≥1×10~4 copies/ml (P0.001)为影响乙型肝炎相关性HCC预后的独立危险因素。结论 HCC患者的预后受到多种因素的影响,其中血清病毒载量和是否接受NAs抗病毒治疗极其重要。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者HBV DNA载量与血清IL-2、IL-6、IL-8、IL-13水平的相关性研究

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染患者血浆HBV DNA载量与乙肝血清标志物的关系及与白细胞介素2(IL-2)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)、白细胞介素13(IL-13)含量变化的相关性。方法选取60例慢性HBV感染者(疾病组),采用免疫发光法定量检测乙型肝炎标志物;实时荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)检测HBV DNA载量,并以5.0×102copies/ml为临界点分为高载量组、低载量组;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测IL-2、IL-6、IL-8、IL-13含量;并与20名健康对照者(正常对照组)比较。结果疾病组血浆HBV DNA载量5.0×102copies/ml时,以HBs Ag、抗-HBe、抗-HBc 3项指标升高为主要表现,阳性检出率为95%,IL-2、IL-6、IL-8、IL-13水平显著高于正常对照组(P0.05);血浆HBV DNA5.0×102copies/ml时,以HBs Ag、HBe Ag、抗-HBc 3项指标升高为主要表现,疾病组阳性检出率为70%,抗-HBe阳性检出率为30%;疾病组血清IL-2、IL-6、IL-8、IL-13水平显著高于对照组(P0.05),并显著高于血浆HBV DNA低载量组(P0.05)。结论 HBV DNA载量和细胞因子水平的变化可反应机体免疫活动状况,对临床观察疗效具有重要意义。     

肝癌根治术后拉米夫定抗病毒治疗对乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌患者无瘤生存时间的影响

目的研究肝癌根治术后拉米夫定抗病毒治疗在延长乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌(HCC)患者无瘤生存时间中的应用。方法选取2014年3月-2016年3月于湖北医药学院附属东风医院行常规肝癌根治术的乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者120例,60例通过常规处理(A组)、60例通过拉米夫定抗病毒治疗(B组)。通过ELISA法检测所有患者的血清HBV DNA载量,计量资料组间比较采用t检验,计数资料组间比较采用χ~2检验,利用Kaplan-Meier法对比2组患者的无瘤生存率和复发率,Spearman相关分析探讨患者血清HBV DNA与生存期的关系。结果随访3年后发现所有患者中死亡71例(59.17%)(A组46例死于肿瘤,4例死于肝性脑病;B组20例死于肿瘤,1例死于肝性脑病)。B组复发率、3年内病死率均显著低于A组(48.33%vs 90.00%,35.00%vs83.33%,χ~2值分别为16.98、10.34,P值均0.001)。B组平均无瘤生存期以及术后1、2、3年的无瘤生存率显著高于A组(t=9.82,χ~2值分别为7.87、11.43、7.98,P值均0.001)。B组术后血清HBV DNA载量为(0.008 1±0.003 2)×105拷贝/ml,显著低于A组[(0.014 3±0.008 9)×105拷贝/ml](t=18.54,P0.001)。A组术后1、2、3年的无瘤生存率对比中,HBV DNA载量≥1.0×105拷贝/ml的患者与HBV DNA载量1.0×105拷贝/ml的患者存在明显差异(χ~2=8.57,P0.05),进一步比较,1、2、3年无瘤生存率差异均有统计学意义(χ~2值分别为4.36、5.36、9.53,P值均0.05);B组术后1、2、3年的无瘤生存率对比中,HBV DNA载量≥1.0×105拷贝/ml的患者与HBV DNA载量1.0×105拷贝/ml的患者并无明显差异(P0.05)。血清HBV DNA阳性表达与患者生存期呈正相关(r=0.67,P0.001)。结论肝癌根治术后拉米夫定抗病毒治疗能够有效减轻患者血清HBV DNA水平,有助于延长乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者无瘤生存时间。     

核苷类抗病毒药预防治疗糖皮质激素诱导的HBV再激活临床回顾性分析

目的：回顾性分析因免疫性基础疾病等使用糖皮质激素的慢性HBV感染者,应用核苷类药物预防治疗HBV再激活及免疫性疾病活动的临床效果。方法随机选取131例HBV感染并因免疫性疾病应用糖皮质激素治疗的患者,分为3组：A组41例,血清ALT正常,HBV DNA载量≤1×103 copies/ml;B组67例,ALT＜2倍正常值上限（upper limits of normal, ULN）,1×103 copies/ml＜HBV DNA载量＜1×104 copies/ml;C组23例,ALT≥2×ULN,HBV DNA载量≥1×104 copies/ml,应用拉米夫定、恩替卡韦或拉米夫定＋阿德福韦酯治疗,每3个月随访HBV DNA载量和ALT水平。结果口服核苷类药物可明显抑制病毒复制,有利于控制免疫性疾病活动。如不给予核苷类药物治疗,当HBV DNA载量〉1×103 copies/ml时HBV DNA复制和免疫性疾病活动风险更高。但无论病毒载量高低,采用单药拉米夫定/恩替卡韦,或拉米夫定＋阿德福韦酯均出现良好应答。对拉米夫定单药或加用阿德福韦酯应答不良者,恩替卡韦治疗仍可获得理想应答。结论因免疫性疾病采用糖皮质激素治疗的患者,无论HBV DNA载量是否高于正常值,均应给予核苷类药物治疗,且应尽早使用强效、低耐药的药物。     

抗病毒治疗对乙型肝炎相关肝癌根治术后复发和生存的影响

目的探讨口服核苷(酸)类似物抗乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)治疗对原发性肝癌根治术后患者复发和生存的影响。方法收集2004年1月至2006年12月期间在我科行根治术的血清HBV DNA阳性的具有完整的临床和随访资料的肝癌患者156例。术后分为单纯手术的对照组80例和同时接受手术和核苷类似物抗病毒治疗的76例,抗病毒方案为口服拉米夫定/阿德福韦酯或恩替卡韦。应用Kaplan-Meier法比较两组术后无复发生存率和总生存率的差异。结果 76例接受抗病毒治疗患者术后1 m和3 m血清HBV DNA水平分别为(1.63±1.15)×104copies/ml和1×102copies/ml,较抗病毒前显著降低(P0.05),而80例未抗病毒治疗患者血清HBV DNA水平无明显变化;未抗病毒组患者平均无复发生存时间为(10.25±2.56)月,而抗病毒组为[(21.43±3.35)月,P0.01];未抗病毒组和抗病毒组患者1 a、3 a、5 a无复发生存率分别为54.6%、22.3%、0.0%和73.1%、36.2%、23.4%,两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05);未抗病毒组患者平均总生存时间为(18.42±3.21)月,抗病毒治疗组为[(30.28±2.62)月,P0.01];未抗病毒治疗组和抗病毒组患者1 a、3 a、5 a总生存率分别为81.2%、42.0%、16.3%和92.2%、73.4%、31.6%,两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论对于血清HBV DNA阳性的肝癌患者,在根治术后给予规范的抗病毒治疗可以改善预后,延长生存时间。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清和外周血单个核细胞HBVcccDNA检测的临床意义

目的了解慢性乙型肝炎患者血清及外周血单个核细胞内是否存在HBV共价闭合环状DNA。方法以20例HBV携带者、75例慢性乙型肝炎和8例肝移植术后患者分离PBMC,应用增效PCR法检测HBVcccDNA。结果本次未在PBMC中检测到HBVcccDNA;20例HBV携带者血清HBVcccDNA阳性率为10%,75例慢性肝炎轻、中、重度患者分别为32%、52%和76%,肝移植患者为12.5%(P0.01);按血清HBVDNA载量不同分为1×105copies/ml、1×105～108copies/ml和1×108copies/ml三组,其血清HBVcccDNA阳性率分别为15.4%(2/13)、50.0%(16/32)和76.7%(23/30,P0.01)。结论慢性乙型肝炎患者肝外HBVcccDNA的检测还需要进一步研究。     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原定量与肝癌的关系探讨

目的结合HBVDNA载量、HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性,评价HBsAg在原发性肝癌(HCC)发生、发展中的意义。方法采用化学发光法检测306例HBV感染所致肝硬化及肝硬化合并HCC的两组患者血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物(HBVM)滴度,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测患者血清HBVDNA载量。结果肝硬化组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占67.5%;HBeAg阳性者占23.8%;HBeAg阴性者占76.2%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占79.5%。肝硬化合并HCC组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占81.9%;HBeAg阳性者占38.1%;HBeAg阴性者占61.9%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占61.3%。两组中HBsAg≥250IU/ml与HBVDNA≥104copies/ml病例比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在HBV感染所致肝硬化患者中,长期高滴度状态的HBsAg在评价肝硬化发展为HCC中同样起到预警信号的作用。     

免疫清除期相同肝实质细胞体积分摊的血清HBV DNA载量与肝组织炎症分级的关系

目的 阐明慢性乙型肝炎自然病程中免疫清除期相同肝实质细胞体积分摊的血清HBVDNA载量水平与肝组织炎症分级的关系. 方法 使用荧光多聚酶链反应分别检测和比较慢性乙型肝炎免疫清除期患者肝组织病理炎症分级1、2、3、4级的血清HBV DNA载量,以及肝组织炎症分级1、2,3、4级所在肝纤维化分期用相同肝实质细胞体积分摊的血清HBV DNA载量.多组资料两两比较采用ANOVA检验分析. 结果 176例处于免疫清除期慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理学炎症分级1、2、3、4级血清HBV DNA载量分别为(8.20×10~5±9.11×10~1)拷贝/ml、(16×10~6±5.96×10~1)拷贝/ml、(8.12×10~5±8.01×10~1)拷贝/ml和(2.08×10~6±3.69×10~1)拷贝/ml,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).然而,肝组织病理炎症1、2、3、4级所在肝纤维化分期用相同肝脏实质细胞体积分摊后的血清HBV DNA载量分别为(9.24×10~8±9.35×10~2)拷贝/ml、(5.33×10~9±7.56×10~2)拷贝/ml、(1.06×10~(10)±1.77×10~3)拷贝/ml、(3.31×10~(11)± 5.18×10~2)拷贝/ml,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 在HBV感染的自然病程中,从免疫耐受期进入免疫清除期后,肝细胞反复出现炎症,坏死,同时伴纤维组织增生.不同肝纤维化分期中相同肝实质细胞体积分摊的血清HBV DNA载量水平与肝组织炎症分级有关.     

肝细胞癌复发或转移与HBV DNA水平及其基本核心启动子区1762/1764双突变的关系

目的 探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)复发或转移与HBV DNA水平及其基本核心启动子(BCP)区1762/1764双突变的关系. 方法 选择163例HCC患者进行120周的随访,收集患者一般资料、生物化学指标、瘤体资料、HBV病毒学指标等,用实时定量PCR检测HBV DNA水平,基因测序法检测BCP区1762/1764双突变情况,并用logistic回归分析HCC复发或转移的发生率与这些资料的关系.两均数比较采用两独立样本t检验;多个样本均数比较采用方差分析;计数资料采用x2检验;筛选影响因素采用二分类logistic回归分析. 结果 共有157例患者进入最终的有效追踪.110例在手术后或肝动脉栓塞化疗术(TACE)后2年内出现肿瘤的复发或转移,其发生率随着时间的推移而逐渐上升,在12、24、48、72、96周和120周分别为2.55％(4例)、8.92％ (14例)、17.83％ (28例)、40.76％ (64例)、58.60％ (92例)和70.06％(110例).对基线资料的单因素分析显示血清高水平Y-谷氨酰转移酶、无包膜瘤体、门静脉栓塞、较大肝癌、BCP变异、HBV DNA水平与HCC的高复发或转移率有关.多因素分析显示HBV DNA水平和BCP区1762/1764双突变与HBV相关性HCC复发和转移高度相关.复发或转移率随着HBV DNA水平的上升而增加,在基线HBV DNA水平＜3log10拷贝/ml的HCC患者中,肿瘤的复发或转移率为42.1％ (8/19);在基线HBV DNA水平≥5log10拷贝/ml的HCC患者中,肿瘤的复发或转移率升为87.0％ (67/77,x 2=22.308,P＜0.01).在157例HCC患者中,BCP区1762/1764双突变阴性43例,有22例(51.2％)发生肿瘤的复发或转移;BCP区1762/1764双突变阳性114例中有88例(77.2％)发生肿瘤的复发或转移(x2=6.022,P＜0.05).通过logistic回归分析,显示BCP区1762/1764双突变阳性患者较双突变阴性患者有更高的HCC复发或转移率(OR=5.264,95％可信区间为1.436～ 12.574).结论 HBV BCP区1762/1764双突变和基线HBV DNA水平与HBV相关性HCC复发和转移相关.     

肝移植后乙型肝炎复发的危险因素及预后分析

目的探讨乙型肝炎相关性肝移植患者术后在核苷(酸)类似物联合小剂量乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白的预防下乙型肝炎复发的危险因素及预后。方法 253例乙型肝炎相关性肝移植患者术前即开始给予核苷(酸)类似物预防,术中和术后均给予核苷(酸)类似物联合乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白处理。结果在253例肝移植患者中,死亡29例(11.5%);术前基础病为HBV相关性肝癌患者的病死率为21.2%,显著高于非肝癌患者的5.2%(P=0.000);乙型肝炎复发16例(6.3%);复发后均停用乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白,并调整核苷(酸)类似物,结果患者HBV DNA均<500IU/ml,肝功能稳定;Log-rank检验显示乙型肝炎复发后及时治疗对患者生存无明显影响;经Logistic多因素回归分析表明,术前HBeAg阳性、HBV DNA≥105IU/ml、HCC和HBV/YMDD变异是乙型肝炎复发的危险因素。结论肝移植能够有效治疗乙型肝炎相关性终末期肝病,在核苷(酸)类似物联合乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白预防后,仍有乙型肝炎复发,其对生存率的影响有待于观察。     

健肝颗粒联合经导管动脉栓塞术治疗原发性肝癌临床疗效研究

目的：观察健肝颗粒联合经导管动脉栓塞术（transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE）治疗HBV DNA阳性原发性肝癌（HCC）的效果及其预后。方法：HBV DNA〉10^3IU／ml的HCC患者126例,均予核苷类似物药抗病毒治疗,并随机分为TACE联合健肝颗粒的治疗组（62例）和TACE治疗的对照组（64例）,观察两组患者肝功能Child—Pugh评分、HBVDNA定量、实体瘤体积变化和两年生存率。结果：治疗两年后,治疗组患者肝功能Child—Pugh评分较对照组降低,且治疗组患者两年生存率比对照组高,其差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;实体瘤缩小和HBVDNA定量变化两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：健肝颗粒联合TACE治疗可改善HCC患者的肝功能,提高其生存率和生活质量。     

Significance of viral status on prognosis of hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection in East Asia

Tumor recurrence remains one major obstacle for further improving the prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after curative liver resection. It has been widely reported that tumor size, positive surgical margin, macroscopic vascular invasion, tumor–node–metastasis stage and Edmondson's grade were significantly related to HCC recurrence. However, the association between HCC recurrence and important viral factors, including the HBV DNA levels, status of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e‐antigen, levels of cccDNA and hepatitis B core‐related antigen, viral genotypes and specific viral sequence mutations remained controversial. Meanwhile, studies on the effect of postoperative adjuvant antiviral therapy on HCC recurrence have been relatively limited and have yielded conflicting results. Identification of certain viral risk factors for HCC recurrence and stratification of patient risk are very important to perform future surveillance programs. As a HBV hyperendemic region, the majority of HBV‐related HCC patients develop in East Asia. In this article, we thus systematically reviewed the risk of important viral factors involved in recurrent carcinogenesis and the role of adjuvant antiviral therapy in preventing tumor recurrence in this area.     

不同HBV感染转归人群外周血PD-1拷贝数分布研究*

目的 调查HBV感染不同转归人群外周血程序性死亡受体-1（PD-1）基因拷贝数（CN）分布频率的差异。方法 在300例HBV感染恢复者、437例慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）、249例肝硬化（LC）和123例肝细胞癌（HCC）患者,采用AccuCopy法检测外周血PD-1基因拷贝数。选择5个可能影响慢性HBV感染结局的指标,即HBeAg滴度、年龄、性别、HBV DNA和PD-1拷贝数,行Logistic回归分析,以发现影响感染结局的指标。结果 HBV感染恢复者、CHB、LC和HCC组外周血PD-1单倍体检出率分别为11.7%、9.6%、6.0%和10.6%,多倍体检出率分别为89.3%、90.4%,94%和89.4%,显示LC组多倍体检出率显著高于HBV感染恢复组或HCC组 （P<0.05）;以CHB组作为估计参数,经Logistic回归分析发现年龄和血清HBV DNA载量为影响疾病转归的独立危险因素。结论 本研究结果提示影响HBV感染转归的因素还是病毒本身和患者年龄,而外周血PD-1基因拷贝数变异检测的意义还有待于进一步研究。     

恩替卡韦抗病毒对TACE治疗的HBV DNA阴性乙型肝炎相关性肝癌的影响

目的 探讨应用恩替卡韦预防治疗接受肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）的乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）DNA阴性的乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌（HCC）患者对病毒激活的影响。方法 将45例HBV DNA阴性乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者随机分为观察组23例和对照组22例。两组患者均在常规护肝治疗基础上接受TACE治疗,观察组于TACE治疗前1周开始应用恩替卡韦分散片抗病毒治疗,对照组未行抗病毒治疗。采用荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBV DNA,采用微粒发光法检测血清HBV标志物,使用全自动生化分析仪检测血生化指标。观察并比较两组TACE后血清HBV DNA转阳和肝衰竭发生率及生存率情况。结果 在治疗24 w,观察组血清HBV DNA水平仍为<2 lg IU/mL,明显低于对照组的（4.10±2.86） lg IU/mL（P<0.01）,观察组HBV DNA转阳率为8.7%,明显低于对照组的36.4%（P<0.05）;观察组肝衰竭发生率为0.0%,对照组为22.7%,但两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;在治疗12 w,观察组血清ALT为（56.75±20.74） IU/L,明显低于对照组的（125.78±42.75） IU/L,PTA为（48.65±8.26）%,明显高于对照组的（42.74±7.42）%（P<0.05）;在24 w,观察组血清ALT水平和Child-Pugh评分分别为（50.73±18.45）IU/L和（6.26±1.46）分,明显低于对照组的（97.48±30.56） IU/L和（7.84±1.65） 分,PTA为（52.45±9.10）%,明显高于对照组的（39.56±6.78）%（均P<0.01）;两组近期临床疗效差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组2 a生存率为69.6%,明显高于对照组的36.4%（P<0.05）。结论 对接受TACE治疗的HBV DNA阴性的乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者,给予恩替卡韦抗病毒预防性治疗可以抑制HBV再激活,改善肝功能。     

Changes in hepatitis B virus DNA levels and liver function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: Reports concerning changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) status and liver function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during or after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been rare and the results inconsistent. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate these parameters in a large cohort of HBV‐related HCC patients. Methods: One hundred and seventy‐two hepatitis B surface antigen positive HCC patients with Child–Pugh grade A or B liver disease who underwent 228 sessions of TACE were enrolled, and related clinical and laboratory data were analyzed. Results: In total, HBV reactivated in 33 (14.5%), remained stable in 152 (66.7%) and decreased in 43 (18.8%) sessions. Univariate analysis revealed that sex and HBV DNA levels correlated with changes in HBV DNA status after TACE, while hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg), prothrombin time and chemotherapeutic agents were marginally significant factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the major factors that influenced the HBV DNA status were baseline HBV DNA levels(P = 0.0002) and HBeAg (P = 0.0387). A comparison of the post‐TACE (30–90 days) liver function to the baseline revealed no significant differences. The reactivation group has the highest rate of exacerbation (12.1%) compared with the stable group (5.9%) and downregulation group (4.7%). Conclusion: HBV DNA changes after TACE included reactivated, decreased and stable HBV DNA levels. Although HBV reactivation did not necessarily result in exacerbation of liver damage and most HCC patients with Child–Pugh grade A and B tolerated TACE well, careful post‐procedure monitoring and managing is needed.     

Negative hepatitis B envelope antigen predicts intrahepatic recurrence in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma after ablation therapy

Background and Aim: Patients with persistently active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication are at high risk for progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The influence of the viral load of HBV on intrahepatic recurrence after local ablation therapy in patients with HBV‐related HCC has not been elucidated. We aimed to evaluate predictors of intrahepatic recurrence and clarify the correlation between viral load and intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous ablation. Methods: Patients with HBV‐related, solitary HCC undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), between October 2004 and December 2008 were prospectively enrolled. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model to identify risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence. Results: A total of 145 patients (male, 81.4%; mean age, 55.3 years) were included. Ninety patients (62.1%) had serum HBV DNA ≥ 2000 IU/mL. The median follow‐up duration was 28.9 months (range, 12.0–57.0) and 63 patients (43.4%) experienced intrahepatic tumor recurrence. Multivariate analysis indicated that seropositivity for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) was an independent negative predictor of intrahepatic recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.473; P = 0.026) and late (≥ 1 year) recurrence (HR, 0.288; P = 0.012). The serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level also significantly predicted late recurrence (HR, 1.001; P = 0.005). However, neither the ablation method nor serum HBV DNA titers were correlated with intrahepatic recurrence. Conclusions: These findings show that HBeAg‐negativity and serum AFP levels were associated with late intrahepatic recurrence of HCC, implicating HBeAg‐negativity as a risk factor for de novo recurrence after percutaneous ablation in HBV‐related HCC.     

Influence of hepatitis B virus reactivation on the recurrence of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection in patients with low viral load

It is unclear whether the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) influences the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to identify the influence of HBV reactivation on the recurrence of hepatitis B‐related HCC after curative resection in patients with low viral load (HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL). We retrospectively analysed a total of 130 patients who underwent curative resection for HBV‐related early stage HCC (single nodule; <5 cm/two or three nodules; <3 cm) with pre‐operative HBV DNA levels <2000 IU/mL with serial HBV DNA tests. The predictive factors including HBV reactivation for the recurrence of HBV‐related HCC after curative resection were investigated. Fifty‐three patients (41%) had HBV reactivation after resection among 130 patients. HBV reactivation was observed in 22 of 53 patients with undetectable baseline HBV DNA and in 31 of 77 patients with detectable baseline HBV DNA. Cumulative recurrence rates after resection at 1, 2 and 3 years were 17.0%, 23.3% and 31.4%, respectively. The multivariable analysis demonstrated that the risk factors for the recurrence were the presence of microvascular invasion (hazard ratio (HR) 2.62, P = 0.003), multinodularity (HR 4.61, P = 0.005), HBV reactivation after resection (HR 2.03, P = 0.032) and HBeAg positivity (HR 2.06, P = 0.044). HBV reactivation after curative resection is associated with the recurrence of HBV‐related HCC in patients with low viral load.     

Management of hepatitis B virus infection during treatment for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Although liver resection is considered the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory because of the high rate of HCC recurrence. Since we reported hepatitis B e-antigen positivity and high serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA concentrations are strong risk factors for HCC recurrence after curative resection of HBV-related HCC in the early 2000s, many investigators have demonstrated the effects of viral status on HCC recurrence and post-treatment outcomes. These findings suggest controlling viral status is important to prevent HCC recurrence and improve survival after curative treatment for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy after curative treatment aims to improve prognosis by preventing HCC recurrence and maintaining liver function. Therapy with interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogs may be useful for preventing HCC recurrence and improving overall survival in patients who have undergone curative resection for HBV-related HCC. In addition, reactivation of viral replication can occur after liver resection for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy can be recommended for patients to prevent HBV reactivation. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish treatment guidelines for patients with HBV-related HCC.     

Risk stratification for hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, especially in the Asia–Pacific region. Several hepatitis B viral factors predictive of clinical outcomes in HBV carriers have been identified. The Risk Evaluation of Viral Load Elevation and Associated Liver Disease/Cancer‐HBV (REVEAL‐HBV) study from Taiwan illustrated the strong association between HBV‐DNA level at study entry and risk of HCC over time. In this community‐based cohort study, male gender, older age, high serum alanine aminotransferase level, positive hepatitis B e antigen, higher HBV‐DNA level, HBV genotype C infection, and core promoter mutation are independently associated with a higher risk of HCC. Another large hospital‐based Elucidation of Risk Factors for Disease Control or Advancement in Taiwanese Hepatitis B Carriers cohort of Taiwanese patients further validated the findings of REVEAL‐HBV. The risk of HCC started to increase when HBV‐DNA level was higher than 2000 IU/mL. Both HBV‐DNA and HBsAg levels were shown to be associated with HCC development. While HBV‐DNA level had better predictive accuracy than HBsAg level, when investigating the overall cohort in patients with HBV‐DNA level < 2000 IU/mL, HBsAg level ≥ 1000 IU/mL was identified as a new independent risk factor for HCC. With the results from REVEAL‐HBV, a risk calculation for predicting HCC in non‐cirrhotic patients has been developed and validated by independent cohorts (Risk Estimation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B).Taken together, ample evidence indicates that HBsAg level can complement HBV‐DNA level in predicting HCC development, especially in HBV carriers with low viral load. In conclusion, HBV treatment guidelines should include the risk stratification of HCC to individualize the management of HBV carriers with different levels of HCC risk.