Biological impact of hepatitis B virus X-hepatitis C virus core fusion gene on human hepatocytes

[Analysis of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and HBV infection]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of the patients with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) complicated with HBV infection, so as to provide a basis for clinical accurate diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Methods: The data of 313 newly diagnosed NHL patients from August 2012 to July 2016 were collected. The HBV serological markers were detected by ELISA, and HBV DNA was quantified by full automatic microparticle chemiluminescence immunoassay (≥1×10(5) copies/ml as high copy group, 1×10(3)-<1×10(5) copies/ml as low copy group). The relationship between HBV infection and prognosis was analyzed combined with the clinical features of the patients, and the HBV detection rate was compared with that of the common population (from the national HBV sero epidemiological data). Results: ①The positive rate of HBsAg in NHL patients was 12.5% (39/313), which was higher than 7.2% in the general population (χ(2)=14.596, P<0.001). HBV infection in the past (HBsAg negative but HBcAb positive) in 114 cases (36.4%), the incidence was slightly higher than that in the general population (34.1%). ②Compared HBsAg positive group with the negative group, the proportion of B cell type (87.2% vs 70.3%, P=0.027), Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ(69.2% vs 34.6%, P<0.001), IPI score 3-5 (74.4% vs 50%, P=0.004), LDH level (79.5% vs 47.8%, P<0.001) and liver involvement (45.5% vs 31.7%, P=0.006) were all higher. The difference was statistically significant. ③Compared the HBV infected group (114 cases) with the non-infected group (160 cases), the difference had statistical significance in the proportion of Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (P=0.023) and IPI score 3-5 scores P=0.035). ④Compared HBV DNA positive group (30 cases) with negative group (71 cases), Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (P=0.011), IPI score 3-5 score (P=0.030), LDH level (P=0.025) and liver involvement (P<0.001) in the proportion of patients had statistical significance. The positive patients were divided into HBV DNA high and low copy groups with 1×10(5) copies of /ml as the boundary. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: The HBV infection rate of NHL patients is significantly higher than that of the general population, and HBV infection is more closely related to B cell type NHL. Patients with HBV infection and HBV DNA positive had late Ann Arbor stage, high IPI score, high LDH level and liver involvement, and the prognosis is poor.

Concurrent infection of hepatitis B virus negatively affects the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after chemotherapy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is hepatotropic and lymphotropic. HBV-infected individuals have an increased risk of developing malignant lymphoma, and the HBV infection rate in lymphoma patients is significantly higher than that in the general population. However, the exact mechanism and correlation between HBV infection and lymphoma onset and progression currently remain unclear. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients with different HBV infection statuses. The results showed that the HBV infection rate was significantly higher in patients with B-cell type and late stage of NHL. The chemotherapy efficacy for NHL patients with chronic active HBV infection was significantly lower than that for the patients with chronic inactive HBV infection, the patients with HBV carriers and the patients without HBV infection. In addition, the NHL chemotherapy activated HBV replication and caused significant liver dysfunction, which could further reduce the chemotherapy efficacy. Through Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank analysis, we found that the HBV infection status in NHL patients was significantly correlated with the patients’ progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Compared with the patients without HBV infection (PFS: 95% CI 47.915 to 55.640; OS: 95% CI 81.324 to 86.858), the PFS and OS of the patients with chronic active HBV infection were significantly shorter (PFS: 95% CI 9.424 to 42.589, P < 0.001; OS: 95% CI 42.840 to 82.259, P = 0.006). The study demonstrated that the sustained HBV replication in patients with chronic active HBV infection could be a key factor that influences the prognosis of NHL patients after chemotherapy, and thus may provide information for designing rational clinical treatments for NHL patients with different HBV infection statuses and improve the treatment efficacy and prognosis.

Do hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus co-infections increase hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence through synergistically modulating lipogenic gene expression?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections cause a wide range of liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of the similar modes of transmission, HBV HCV co-infections are found in approximately 7-20 million people globally. Compared with HBV or HCV mono-infections, co-infections are associated with more severe liver diseases and higher risk of HCC. Abnormal lipid biosynthesis and metabolism has been increasingly recognized as a cause for cancer. While HBV infection does not seem to significantly increase the risk of developing hepatic steatosis, steatosis is a prominent feature of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In addition, steatosis in HBV or HCV mono-infections is a significant and independent risk factor for HCC. However, whether and how HBV HCV co-infections synergistically increase the risk of HCC development through modulating lipid metabolism is not well understood. Possible mechanisms by which steatosis causes HCC include: activation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-mediated lipogenesis through the PI3K-Akt pathway, abnormal activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Here, we review the potential mechanisms by which HBV HCV co-infections may increase HCC risk through modulation of lipogenic gene expression. We begin with reviewing the impact of HBV and HCV on host lipogenic gene expression and carcinogenesis. We then discuss the potential mechanisms by which HBV and HCV can increase carcinogenesis through synergistically activating lipid biosynthesis and metabolism. We end by sharing our thoughts on future research directions in this emerging paradigm with an ultimate goal of developing effective therapeutics.