Hepatitis B virus splicing is enhanced prior to development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background & Aims The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome encodes specific sequence elements which promote splicing of viral DNA. It has been previously suggested that spliced HBV (spHBV) variants promote viral replication and protein production, leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we have analysed changes in spHBV over time; providing the first longitudinal analysis of spHBV in relation to the development of HCC. Methods Serial serum samples were collected from 165 patients with chronic HBV monoinfection, including 58 patients who later developed HCC. Real-time PCR was used to amplify and quantify wt and sp DNA loads. Results spHBV was detected in over 80% of patients with ..