The impact of the covalently closed circular DNA level on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial hepatectomy: an analysis of patients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection. Issue 10 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bae, Sung Kwan; Arita, Junichi; Akamatsu, Nobuhisa; Maki, Harufumi; Nishioka, Yujiro; Kawahara, Takuya; Miyata, Akinori; Kokudo, Takashi; Nagata, Rihito; Mihara, Yuichiro; Ichida, Akihiko; Inagaki, Yoshinori; Kawaguchi, Yoshikuni; Ishizawa, Takeaki; Kaneko, Junichi; Tamura, Sumihito; Tanaka, Yasuhito; Moriya, Kyoji; Hasegawa, Kiyoshi
• Is Part Of: HPB. Volume 24:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1780
• Page End: 1788
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Anti-HBc antibody to hepatitis B core antigen -- Anti-HBs antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen -- Anti-HCV antibodies to hepatitis C virus -- cccDNA covalently closed circular DNA -- ddPCR droplet digital polymerase chain reaction -- HBsAg hepatitis B surface antigen -- HBV hepatitis B virus -- HCC hepatocellular carcinoma -- NBNC-HCC non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Biliary tract -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Pancreas -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.362005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2022.06.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1365-182X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: We assessed whether or not covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels in the background liver influence the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: Among 425 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between 2010 and 2018, a retrospective review was performed in 44 with resolved HBV infection. The clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed for correlation with tumor recurrence. The HBV cccDNA levels were tested via a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: HBV cccDNA was detected in 27 of 44 patients (61%), and the median level was 1.0 copies/1000 ng (range, 0-931.3 copies/1000 ng). Anti-HBc ≥8.9 S/CO was associated with cccDNA detection (odds ratio, 11.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.48-49.46; P = 0.002). Twenty-eight patients (64%) developed HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. The overall 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 45.7% and 34.3%, respectively.19 HBV cccDNA levels was not significantly associated with HCC recurrence, while the presence of multiple tumors was an independent risk fact or (hazard ratio, 6.53; 95% CI, 2.48-17.19; P < 0.001. Conclusion: HBV cccDNA levels did not influence HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. Anti-HBc levels may be used as a surrogate marker for cccDNA.