Polymerase Chain Reaction to Detect Hepatitis B Virus DNA and RNA Sequences in Primary Liver Cancers from Patients Negative for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Abstract

Our investigation indicates that transcriptionally active HBV genomes are present in various geographic areas among patients with liver cancer who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. This observation is consistent with an etiologic role for the virus in the development of these tumors.