Mutations in the Hepatitis C Virus <i>core</i> Gene Are Associated with Advanced Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

HCV core genes from patients with and without HCC differ at several positions. Of interest, 209A has been associated with IFN resistance and HCC in previous studies. Our findings suggest that HCV core gene sequence data might provide useful information about HCC risk. Prospective investigation is needed to establish the temporal relationship between appearance of the viral mutations and development of HCC.