Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutants in Singapore patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B virus carriers negative for HBsAg but positive for anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc

Abstract

The existence of a more complex antigenic structure of HBsAg is indicated by the decreased reactivity to detection of mutations, some of which are outside the a-determinant, escape vaccination and may persist in seronegative patients. The high proportion of HBsAg mutants that are integrated in HCC genomes suggests a role of these mutants in hepatocarcinogenesis, possibly leading to mutant HBV-related HCC.