Are there more factors other than hepatitis B virus DNA level and A1762T/G1764A mutation in liver tissue that also independently predict postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma?

摘要

We read with great interest the study by Yeh et al.1 on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA level and basal core promoter A1762T/G1764A mutation in liver tissue independently predicting postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to the article, the amount of HBV-DNA in liver tissue and the presence of the basal core promoter mutation were two independent predictors for postoperative survival in HCC. The authors also found that a short-stretch pre-S deletion located between codons 107 and 141 was associated with a poorer postoperative prognosis. This study can be hailed as an original contribution in terms of predicting postoperative survival in HCC; however, we have some concerns about it.