Role of aflatoxin B1 as a risk for primary liver cancer in north Indian population.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was designed to determine whether aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure has any role to play in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from northern India.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 266 HCC patients and 251 patients of chronic liver disease without-HCC were enrolled into the study. All samples were screened for serological markers for hepatitis B and C infections and levels of AFB1 in food and urine samples.

RESULTS

A threefold (OR=3.43) and five-fold (OR=5.47) increased risk of HCC was observed amongst HBV infection and AFB1-levels in food and urine samples, respectively. However, a non-significant risk was observed with respect to HCV infection (OR=1.27) and alcohol consumption (OR=1.18). A threefold (OR=3.15) increased risk of HCC was observed amongst cases of non-viral etiology with respect to urinary AFB1.

CONCLUSION

The data provides an exposure and disease risk information for establishing intervention studies to diminish the impact of aflatoxin exposure in Indian population.