The association between hepatitis C virus infection and renal cell cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yucheng Ma,Zhongyu Jian,Xin Wei,Zhongli Huang

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90404-2

Abstract

To update the current evidence on whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a possible risk factor for renal cell cancer (RCC), prostate cancer (PCa), and bladder cancer (BC). We searched the literature on Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embases before April 2021. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Finally, we extracted 12 studies based on the eligible criteria. Across 11 studies for HCV and RCC, the incorporated RR was 1.28 (95% CI 1.05–1.55), which meant that participants with HCV infection were associated with higher RCC risk. The pooled RR in hazard ratio (HR) subgroup (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.22–2.08), cohort studies subgroup (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18–1.82), and North America subgroup (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.40–2.09) detected a stronger association between HCV and RCC risk. Although an inverse association was seen for PCa (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54–1.03) across seven studies, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.075). There was no significant association between HCV and BC with an incorporated RR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.82–1.03) across five studies. Our study demonstrated that HCV infection was significantly associated with increased RCC risk. There appeared to be an inverse association for HCV in PCa risk but not statistically significant. No significant association was found between HCV and BC risk. Prospective, large-scale, and well-designed cohort studies are required to validate the association between HCV and RCC, and to investigate the role of HCV on PCa.

Highlights

Urologic cancers such as renal cell cancer (RCC), prostate cancer (PCa), and bladder cancer (BC) are most common diagnosed cancers in humans[1]
We found seven cohort studies and five case–control studies that investigated the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) for RCC
With or without sensitivity analyses, the summary estimates from our meta-analysis demonstrated that HCV infection was significantly associated with increased RCC risk, especially enrolling studies in USA locations

Summary

Introduction

Urologic cancers such as renal cell cancer (RCC), prostate cancer (PCa), and bladder cancer (BC) are most common diagnosed cancers in humans[1] Both non-modifiable and environmental risk factors are identified associated with these cancers. If the association between HCV and urological tumors can be established, regular urological tumor screening in this population may significantly extend their survival time. In light of these controversial roles of HCV on RCC, PCa, and BC risk, the purpose of the present metaanalysis is to explore whether HCV represents a possible risk factor for RCC, PCa, and BC by taking all available studies meeting our inclusion criteria into consideration

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion