[Effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on HBV DNA level in primary liver cancer patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic chemotherapy would suppress the immune system and cause reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the tumor patients with HBV infection, which seriously affect the prognosis. Our study was to investigate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on HBV DNA level in primary liver cancer patients, and explore related factors. METHODS: Clinical data of 162 patients with primary liver cancer who underwent TACE from December 2004 to July 2008 were analyzed. All patients' HBV DNA level, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and liver function before and after TACE were evaluated. Correlation of HBV DNA alteration to AFP was analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of HBV DNA was decreased significantly after TACE (55.6% vs. 71.6%, P<0.01). HBV DNA level was inclined to decrease after TACE in the patients with HBV DNA of > or =1 x 10(5)/mL (odds ratio = 2.7, P<0.01). The decrease of HBV DNA was also related with the decrease of AFP level (odds ratio = 2.6,P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TACE can decrease HBV DNA level in primary liver cancer patients, especially for those with preoperative HBV DNA level of > or =1 x 10(5)/mL and those with postoperative AFP decline.