Frequent detection of hepatitis B virus X-gene DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent liver tissue in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients.
Hepatitis B virus is associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed polymerase chain reaction for the X, C, S, and preS2/S regions of the viral genome in 23 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent liver. Hepatitis B viral genomes were detected in 17 of 23 tumors and adjacent tissues (73.9%). Among recognized transactivators, the X gene was present in 16 (69.6%) cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, but preS2/S was detected in only 7 (30.4%). Hepatitis B virus C and S regions were detected in 3 (13.0%) and 9 (39.1%) hepatocellular carcinomas, respectively. Serologic study revealed antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antigen, and hepatitis B e antigen in 14 patients; among these, X-gene DNA was detected in 12 of 14 tumors (85.7%). The X gene was also detected in 4 of 9 tumors of seronegative patients. The X gene, present in many hepatocellular carcinomas, may promote hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients.
Takeuchi
M
M
First Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
Fujimoto
J
J
Niwamoto
H
H
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Okamoto
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens