HBV- and HCV-related infections and risk of pancreatic cancer

JOP. 2013 Nov 10;14(6):603-9. doi: 10.6092/1590-8577/1948.

Abstract

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers in humans. The poor prognosis of this malignancy depends on several factors, such as: lack of early symptoms, advanced stage at detection, early metastatic spread and no effective systemic treatment. To date, only few risk factors for this malignancy are known; therefore, considerable efforts are required to identify additional causative agents involved in the process of pancreatic carcinogenesis. In the last years, a large series of epidemiological investigations have suggested that both bacteria and viruses may play a important role in the initiation and progression of several animal and human cancers. In particular, some studies have showed that hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses, two hepatotropic pathogens with well-known oncogenic properties for liver, may be detected also in extra-hepatic tissues, such as pancreas. The aim of this paper is to briefly report the results of available studies, assessing the possible association between HBV/HCV and pancreatic cancer development as well as to discuss the limiting factors of these researches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Hepacivirus / physiology
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / virology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors