The mutation of hepatitis B virus X gene in the liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Objective To explore the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene and its mutation with hepatocellular carcinogenesis by detecting HBV X gene and its frequent mutation sites in the liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods HBV X genes were detected in 22 HBsAg-positive patients with HHC and 5 HBsAg-negative healthy subjects using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The obtained PCR products were then sequenced. Results The detection rate of HBV X gene was high in patients with HHC, 68% in the cancer tissues and 77% in the adjacent tissues (P 0.012 5 for both comparisons), but the positive rate of X gene did not differ significantly between the caner tissues and the surrounding tissues (P 0.012 5). The rate of HBV 1762T / 1764A double mutation was markedly higher in the cancer tissues than in the adjacent tissues (93% vs 47%, P 0.05). No 1762T or 1764A mutation alone was found. HBV X gene was undetectable in 5 normal liver tissue specimens. Conclusions The detection rate of HBV X gene and the rate of 1762T / 1764A double mutation were significantly high in patients with HCC. HBV X gene and the double mutation may play an important role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.