title: Relation between aflatoxin, hepatitis-B virus, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: A new role is postulated for aflatoxin in the production of hepatocellular carcinoma. Rather than acting as a primary carcinogen, as it seems to do in animals, it is suggested that aflatoxin suppresses cell-mediated immunity. This effect on the immune system would allow the hepatitis-B virus, highly endemic in certain populations, to maintain itself more easily in the liver, to produce more chronic infection and cirrhosis, and in the long term to lead to a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002273:Carcinogens; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D002273:Carcinogens