Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b sequences from fifteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: the 'progression score' revisited

The genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated with hepatocellular carcin oma (HCC) may have some characteristics which would barely be found in thos e of HCV from asymptomatic carriers (ASC). We analyzed 15 HCC patients who were infected with HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b) for complete nucleotide sequenc es of the viral genomes. Of the 15 isolates, three were sequenced up to the first nucleotide of the 5'UTR, and six were sequenced to encompass the X-t ail at the 3' end: sequencing of at least three-quarters of the 5'UTR and e ntire polyprotein-ORF was accomplished in all 15 isolates. Analyses of thes e sequences together with those reported previously by Nagayama et al. [Hep atology; 31 (2000) 745] suggested that nine residues (nt 119 of 5'UTR and a a 90, 434, 938, 962, 1176, 1412, 2143, and 2774 of polyprotein) might be us eful to discriminate HCC-type sequences from ASC-type ones. The 'progressio n score' was 1.4 +/- 0.9 in ASC versus 3.7 +/- 1.5 in HCC (P = 3.87E-07) wh en calculated with the Nagayama et al.'s seven residues, but was 1.4 +/- 0. 6 versus 4.6 +/- 1.9 (P = 1.33E-09) with our nine residues: a greater diffe rence between HCC and ASC was achieved in the latter system. Further analys es, by increasing the sample size and/or by extending the comparison to inc lude entire 5'UTR and 3'UTR/X-tail, may thus contribute to define the 'prog ression score' more appropriately. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.