Scientists Discover Marker for Liver Cancer Connected to Hepatitis B Infection
In two groundbreaking studies, researchers led by Ulrike Protzer at the Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed markers to better determine treatment and cancer surveillance strategies for people with chronic Hepatitis B.
The first study, published in the June edition of Gut, an international medical journal on gastroenterology and hepatology, set the stage for the subsequent research. The second study was published in March in the medical journal Hepatology.
The findings of these studies are significant for precision medicine and optimising liver cancer surveillance strategies. The researchers found that the annual liver cancer incidence for non-cirrhotic inactive chronic hepatitis B carriers with HBsAg levels below 100 IU/mL is 0.08 percent, which is below the internationally recommended 0.2 percent surveillance threshold.
This means that approximately one-third of inactive chronic hepatitis B carriers have low HBsAg levels. In areas with limited resources, the other two-thirds with higher levels should be considered for more frequent examinations.
The second study also found that those with chronic hepatitis B in the immune-tolerant phase with HBsAg greater than 10,000 IU/mL were associated with delayed development of liver cancer. This suggests that the antigen could be used as a biomarker to identify those in the low-risk, immune-tolerant phase.
Those with HBsAg above 100 IU/mL may consider new antiviral treatments to suppress the antigen and reduce the risk of liver cancer. The results of these studies provide strong evidence for future international treatment guidelines, helping to redefine if someone is partially cured of hepatitis B virus and the clinical management of those in the immune-tolerant phase.
In conclusion, these studies have made significant strides in understanding chronic Hepatitis B and its implications for liver cancer. The findings are expected to greatly impact the field of precision medicine, leading to more personalised treatment and surveillance strategies for those affected by this disease.
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