Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of parenterally transmitted non-A,non-B hepatitis. To determine whether there is a relationship between this virus agent and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the sera of patients with HCC and chronic hepatitis were assessed using a sensitive immunoassay for HCV antibody. Anti-HCV was detected in 65% of 132 patients with HCC, without any relationship with the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The prevalence (74%) of anti-HCV was high, as expected in patients with putative non-A,non-B cirrhosis also. The prevalence of anti-HCV was less in patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis (28%) and in patients with disease not related to viral hepatitis and healthy controls (8%). These data suggest, but do not prove, that HCV is an important factor associated with HCC.
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Colombo, M., Rumi, M.G., Donato, M.F. et al. Hepatitis C antibody in patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Digest Dis Sci 36, 1130–1133 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297459
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297459