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HealthDay News — Elevated levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are associated with increased risks of liver cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The researchers found that the risk of liver cancer was positively associated with increasing levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg in dose-response manners.The adjusted odds ratios [ORs] increased from 2.11 to 10.47 for those with HBV DNA level of 2000-19,999 IU/ml or ≥20,000 IU/ml compared with subjects with HBV DNA <2000 IU/ml.
“Chronic HBsAg carriers may be suggested to simultaneously lower the viral load to <2000 IU/ml and HBsAg level to <100 IU/ml to lower their liver cancer risk,” conclude the authors.
Reference
Yang Y, Gao J, Tan YT, et al. Individual and combined effects of hepatitis B surface antigen level and viral load on liver cancer risk [published online October 24, 2017]. J Gastro Hep. doi: 10.1111/jgh.14032.