Antibody to hepatitis-B core antigen in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma

Lancet. 1975 Jul 5;2(7923):9-11. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)92951-7.

Abstract

Antibody to hepatitis-B core antigen (anti-HBc) was assayed in the serum of patients with primary hepatic carcinoma (P.H.C.) and controls from Hong Kong, West Africa, and the United States. In each region the prevalence of anti-HBc was higher in P.H.C. patients than in controls, ranging from 70 to 95% in the patients and from 20 to 68% in the controls from Asia and Africa; 24% of P.H.C. patients and 4% of controls from the U.S. had anti-HBc. These data support the hypothesis that chronic infection with hepatitis-B virus is aetiologically related to P.H.C., especially in Asia and Africa, although other factors must also be involved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral*
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Carrier State*
  • Culture Techniques
  • Electrophoresis
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Hong Kong
  • Immunodiffusion
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver Extracts
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Senegal
  • United States

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Antigens
  • Liver Extracts