Hepatitis C virus genotypes and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Among several genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotypes 1b (or II) and 2a (or III) are predominant in Japan. Although it has been shown that the efficacy of interferon treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C varies with the HCV genotype, the relationship between HCV genotype and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well described.

METHODS

The genotypes and serum levels were determined for HCV-RNA in 72 patients with HCC and 131 patients without HCC, all of whom were positive for second-generation HCV antibody and HCV-RNA. In addition, clinical data from 34 patients with HCC who each had a history of blood transfusion were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven (79.2%) of 72 patients with HCC had genotype 1b HCV, whereas 101 (77.1%) of 131 patients without HCC had genotype 1b, indicating that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of genotype 1b HCV between the patients with and without HCC. Furthermore, comparison of patients with HCC with genotype 1b HCV with those with genotype 2a who had a history of blood transfusion did not differ significantly in the number of years from blood transfusion to diagnosis of HCC. Levels of HCV-RNA were not significantly different among patients with liver diseases of various stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in patients with either genotype 2a HCV or genotype 1b HCV. A difference in genotype is not likely to be responsible for the difference in development of HCC.