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A meta-analysis on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes is warranted as the current data are conflicting.
Dr Wong and colleagues from Hong Kong investigated the relative risk of HCC among the 4 major HBV genotypes (A–D).
The research team performed a meta-analysis based on literature search from electronic databases and bibliography between 1950 and 2012. All abstracts with keywords ‘hepatitis B’, ‘hepatocellular carcinoma’ and ‘genotype’ were screened. Studies were included if they reported HBV genotype as an exposure and HCC as an outcome.
The team identified 988 abstracts through literature search, among them 43 studies were eligible for this meta-analysis. A total of 14,545 patients with an average age of 43 years were included.  | | HCC was found in 25% of patients with genotype C | | Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics |
The team found that 71% were male patients, and 17% had cirrhosis. In 33 studies, HCC was found in 25% of patients with genotype C vs 12% with genotype B HBV-infected. The research team observed no difference in the risk of HCC was found among genotype A vs genotype D HBV-infected patients in 14 studies. In 10 studies, the team found that the risk of HCC was also higher among genotype C than genotype A&D HBV-infected patients. The team observed that subgenotype Ce and Cs HBV-infected patients had similar risk on HCC. On funnel plot analysis, the team found no significant publication bias in all comparisons.
Dr Wong's team concludes, "Genotype C hepatitis B virus is associated with a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma than other major hepatitis B virus genotypes."
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