hepatocellular carcinoma

¹Nma, M. A., ²Yaqub, S. A., and *²Olufemi, O. J.

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

²Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: olayinkajoshua1@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis and is a leading contributor to hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems due to its high morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. HBV infection remains a major public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Investigating the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and selected inflammatory markers in individuals seropositive for hepatitis B envelope antibody (HBeAb) provides valuable insights into disease progression, early detection of HCC, and monitoring treatment efficacy. This study assessed serum levels of AFP and selected inflammatory markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin, and globulin among chronic HBV patients seropositive and seronegative for HBeAb at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria. Continue reading “Evaluation of α-fetoprotein and selected inflammatory enzyme markers in chronic hepatitis B patients seropositive and seronegative for hepatitis B envelope antibody in UITH, Ilorin, Nigeria”

^[1]Alao, J. O., ¹Oni, M. O., *^[2]Bello, O. O., ^[3]Bejide, I. O., ^[4]Alao, O. J., and ³Komolafe O. I.

¹Departmental of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria

³Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria

⁴Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: obello@unimed.edu.ng; +2348057892661

Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of worldwide cancerrelated death. Chronic hepatitis B infection, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to aflatoxins is fundamental in the formation of HCC in developing countries. This review of scientific publications aims to establish the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and highlights the correlation between aflatoxin and hepatitis B viral-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Research has shown a significant increase in the occurrence of HCC in HBV-infected individuals exposed to fungal toxins. HBV demonstrates the ability to integrate and bind to p53 protein in the host DNA and propagate hepatocyte vulnerability through carcinogenic aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) damage. Although there has been clear evidence about the synergistic interaction of exposure to AFB₁ and HBV infection in the induction of HCC, other literature has shown otherwise, mainly because incomplete and vague findings and hypotheses were made in regions where AFB₁ and HBV pose a public health risk. Vaccination against hepatitis B and measures such as robust food safety systems to avoid hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced by AFB₁is the most effective methods in the prevention of HCC induced by HBV and AFB_1.

Continue reading “The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review”