Genetic variations of hepatitis B virus and serum aflatoxin-lysine adduct on high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Southern Guangxi, China

Background & Aims Southern Guangxi area is one of the endemic areas for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. This study evaluates the roles of genetic variations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) exposure in the formation of HCC in this high-risk area. Methods The study recruited 60 HCC patients and 120 age-, gender-, and residency-matched controls. HBV genotype and basic core promoter (BCP) mutations were determined by nested-PCR/direct sequencing. Serum AFB 1 -lysine adduct was measured by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. Results HBV genotype C was predominant in 75.0% of cases and 84.2% of controls. The 1762 T /1764 A double mutations, 1753 V mutations, and 1752 V mutations were associated with HCC risk evidenced by the adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] of 3.89 (1.40–10.77), 2.87 (1.49–5.49), and 5.96 (1.75–20.25), respectively. The adjusted OR (95% CI) was 6.94 (1.68–27.78) for subjects with 1762 T /1764 A double mutations and high AFB 1 -lysine adduct level; 2.01 (0.24–14.29), for those with only 1762 T /1764 A double mutations; and 4.26 (1.16–15.38) for those with only high AFB 1 -lysine adduct level, respectively. The adjusted OR was 5.13 (1.79–14.71) for subjects with 1753 V mutations and high AFB 1 -lysine adduct level; 1.20 (0.47–3.08) for those with only 1753 V mutations, and 2.28 (1.01–5.31) for those with high AFB 1 -lysine adduct level, respectively. Conclusions These data confirmed the association of BCP mutations with HCC risk and the additive effects of 1762 T /1764 A double mutations and 1753 V mutations with dietary AFB 1 exposure in this high-risk area for HCC.