Kawaguchi K, et al. – Physicians designed this study to ascertain whether the incidence and recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related liver cancer could be predicted using serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin–positive Mac–2 binding protein (WFA(+)–M2BP) markers. For predicting the development and recurrence of HBV–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment, serum WFA(+)–M2BP and hepatitis B core–related antigen (HBcrAg) were useful diagnostic tests.

• A total of 141 chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) cases treated for more than 1 year with NAs were assessed.
• 17 HCC cases were compared with 124 non-HCC cases.
• The physicians assessed serum WFA(+)-M2BP, HBV markers including HBcrAg, and other clinical factors.
• Also, they evaluated 71 CH-B-related HCC cases who started or continued NAs and compared the incidence and recurrence of HCC after successful cancer treatment.

• In multivariate analysis, the physicians demonstrated that the incidence of HCC was significantly correlated with higher histological stage and grade before NA treatment and with WFA(+)-M2BP and HBcrAg positivity during NA treatment.
• The cumulative incidence of HCC was strongly correlated with higher WFA(+)-M2BP levels and HBcrAg positivity.
• Compared with those in cases without recurrence during follow-up, HCC recurrence after anti-cancer therapy was also significantly correlated with higher WFA(+)-M2BP levels.