Study of hepatitis B core-related antigen as a predictor marker of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Background Cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer are the most common complications of chronic hepatitis B and therefore it is necessary to avoid these complications in high-risk patients with high replicative capability. Conventional serum indicators are insufficient for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in these patients early. Aim The goal of this study was to see if hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) could be used as a marker for hepatocellular cancer in people who had hepatitis B. Patients and methods This research was conducted on 90 people who attended the Hepatitis Outpatient Clinics at the Department of Tropical Medicine and Tanta University Educational Hospital between January 2019 and August 2020. Results In comparison to the control group, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients had a marked decline in hemoglobin, serum albumin, white blood cells count, and platelet count. Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine aminotansferase (ALT), bilirubin, and international normalization ratio (INR) levels all increased considerably. Hepatocellular carcinoma and CHB patients had relatively high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alpha-feto protien (AFP) than the control group. In both patient groups, there was a strong whereas ALT. Levels was within normal values. In the HCC group, HBcrAg levels were closely linked with ALP, AFP, and DNA levels. In both patient groups, the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score indicated a strong association. Conclusion As an excellent biomarker of intrahepatic cccDNA, HBcrAg demonstrated encouraging results as a potential biomarker of HCC incidence in CHB patients.