Quantification of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

This study aimed to measure the intrahepatic total hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels in tumor and non-tumor tissues in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS:

Intrahepatic total HBV DNA and cccDNA were measured in 25 HCC patients (21 hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-positive and 4 HBsAg-negative) by the Invader assay.

RESULTS:

A low level of intrahepatic HBV DNA was detectable in all HBsAg-negative patients. For HBsAg-positive patients, the intrahepatic total HBV DNA levels in the tumor and non-tumor tissues were comparable (P=0.903). However, the tumor tissues had significantly higher levels of cccDNA (0.35 vs. 0.16 copies/cell, P=0.030) and higher proportion of intrahepatic HBV DNA in the form of cccDNA (100% vs. 84%, P=0.004) than the non-tumor tissues. Seventeen out of 21 (81%) tumor tissues had intrahepatic HBV DNA solely in cccDNA form. Analysis of HBV mRNA expression indicated that HBV replication appeared to be lower in the tumor tissues than the non-tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared to the non-tumor tissues, the levels of HBV replication in the tumor tissues appeared to be lower, and cccDNA was the predominant form of HBV DNA in the tumor tissues.

• Authors: Danny Ka-Ho Wong, Man-Fung Yuen, Ronnie Tung-Ping Poon, John Chi-Hang Yuen, James Fung, Ching-Lung Lai
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 45 Issue 4 Pg. 553-9 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16904225 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Circular
• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• RNA, Messenger
• RNA, Viral

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (virology)
• DNA, Circular (analysis, isolation & purification)
• DNA, Viral (analysis, isolation & purification)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (metabolism)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (complications, virology)
• Humans
• Liver (virology)
• Liver Neoplasms (virology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Messenger (analysis, isolation & purification)
• RNA, Viral (analysis, isolation & purification)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction