HBV infection and HCC: the 'dangerous liaisons

Long-term relationships are somehow unpredictable. Periods of harmony are often followed by times of conflict with outcomes which are difficult to predict. This precept can apply to the relationship between HBV and human species. HBV acquired at birth or in early childhood establishes lifelong persistent infection in the majority of subjects, which is evolving, and characterised by fluctuations of virological and clinical parameters. The overall impact of these fluctuations in the development of liver fibrosis and hepatocellularcarcinoma has often puzzled clinicians and researchers studying this complex and somewhat fascinating interaction between HBV and our species. An interesting new piece of information, related to this interaction, has now been added, thanks to the work of the group of GA Kim and YS Lim, published in Gut.1

Let's try to first summarise the main points of this puzzle. The early phase of the HBV-host relationship is characterised by normal...

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