Study: HBV genotype is not linked to hepatocellular carcinoma

Previous studies revealed that HBV genotypes as well as mutations in the core promoter, precore or HBx gene have been shown to have an association with the clinical outcome of liver disease, however, this is still controversial. It is likely that this depends on the HBV genotype distribution in certain region. So far, there is no such data from Indonesia, which is a big country with a big population and a relatively high HBV carrier rate.

A research article to be published on August 28, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Dr. Utama from Mochtar Riady Institute for Nanotechnology, used samples from HBV-associated liver disease patients [chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)]collected from several centers, to study the association between HBV genotype and mutations and clinical outcome of liver disease.

The study demonstrated that only HBV genotype B and C were detected among HBV-associated liver disease patients in Indonesia, and genotype B was predominant. It was found that HBV genotype, as well as the serotype, might not be associated with an increased risk of HCC. The double mutation (A1762T/G1764A) was associated with progression of liver disease, while T1753V mutation could be used as an indicator of liver cirrhosis rather than HCC.