title: Precore/Core Region Mutations in Hepatitis B Virus DNA Predict Postoperative Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is prone to mutations because of the proofreading deficiencies of HBV polymerase. We have identified hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival-associated HBV mutations in the X protein region of HBV DNA. In the present study, we extend our research to assess HCC survival-associated HBV mutations in the HBV precore/core (PreC/C) region. The PreC/C region was amplified and sequenced and the HBV mutations were identified according to the NCBI database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/5536). The relationships between the mutations in the PreC/C region and HCC survival were analyzed. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons between the curves were made using the log-rank test. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, the 1915, 2134, 2221, 2245 and 2288 mutational sites were identified as statistically significant independent predictors of HCC survival by multivariate survival analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, the mutational site of 1896 was identified for its association with survival at a borderline significance level. A total of five mutations in the precore/core region were identified as independent predictors of postoperative survival in HCC patients. The analysis of HBV DNA mutations may help identify patient subgroups with poor prognosis and may help refine therapeutic decisions regarding HCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Lab of Laboratory Animal Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, P.R. China; Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Peking, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Lab of Laboratory Animal Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shufeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yufei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Hebei Key Lab of Laboratory Animal Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Binghui
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhanjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D012307:Risk Factors; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014758:Viral Core Proteins