[HTML][HTML] Polymerase chain reaction to detect hepatitis B virus DNA and RNA sequences in primary liver cancers from patients negative for hepatitis B surface antigen
P Paterlini, G Gerken, E Nakajima… - … England Journal of …, 1990 - Mass Medical Soc
P Paterlini, G Gerken, E Nakajima, S Terre, A d'Errico, W Grigioni, B Nalpas, D Franco…
New England Journal of Medicine, 1990•Mass Medical SocAbstract Background and Methods. The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the course of
patients with primary liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen has been
debated. We used the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate 28 such patients for the
presence of DNA and RNA sequences of the virus; 22 of these patients had associated
cirrhosis. The patients were from areas with different prevalences of HBV infection (South
Africa, Italy, France, and Japan). Results. Antibodies to the surface and core antigens of HBV …
patients with primary liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen has been
debated. We used the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate 28 such patients for the
presence of DNA and RNA sequences of the virus; 22 of these patients had associated
cirrhosis. The patients were from areas with different prevalences of HBV infection (South
Africa, Italy, France, and Japan). Results. Antibodies to the surface and core antigens of HBV …
Background and Methods
The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the course of patients with primary liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen has been debated. We used the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate 28 such patients for the presence of DNA and RNA sequences of the virus; 22 of these patients had associated cirrhosis. The patients were from areas with different prevalences of HBV infection (South Africa, Italy, France, and Japan).
Results
Antibodies to the surface and core antigens of HBV were detected in 10 of the 23 patients tested. HBV DNA sequences were detected in 17 of the 28 patients, including 8 of the 10 with HBV antibodies and 6 of 13 without HBV serologic markers. HBV RNA molecules were found in four of five tumors tested.
Conclusions
Our investigation indicates that transcriptionally active HBV genomes are present in various geographic areas among patients with liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. This observation is consistent with an etiologic role for the virus in the development of these tumors. (N Engl J Med 1990; 323:80–5.)
The New England Journal Of Medicine