Research progress in the relationship between occult hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract:

It’s certain that chronic hepatitis B is a main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）. However，it’s uncertain whether occult hepatitis B virus infection（OBI） can result in HCC. We draw the conclusion that OBI is an important risk factor for HCC after reviewing literature at home and abroad. OBI maintains the same carcinogenic mechanisms as overt hepatitis B virus（HBV） infection：for example it also can cis-activate genome by integrating into the host genome，or trans-act to genome/protein by synthe－sising hepatitis B virus X antigen，preS，and hepatitis B surface antigen，which can impact signal path and induce the imbalance be－tween proliferation and apotosis. Secondly，the persistence of low level of HBV can induce slight and continuous necro-inflammation. It’s a cycle of necrosis and regeneration，which can lead to cirrhosis and HCC. Finally，mutation and methylation also play important roles in HCC.