Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in African and Asian Immigrants
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Liver Cancer, Cancer, Hepatitis, Hepatitis |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Immunology / Infectious Diseases, Oncology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 2/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | November 2010 |
| End Date: | December 2022 |
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in African and Asian Immigrants: Role of Viral Genetics and the Immune Response
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States
(US) is relatively low. However, immigrant populations in the US from Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa have substantially higher prevalence than the general population and are consequently
at a significant risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, the age-adjusted incidence
rates for HCC in the US have tripled from 1975 to 2005. As the population demographics have
changed, the 2000 US census estimated the number of Somalis in Minnesota at 25,000 but
current estimates put the number at around 50,000 due to primary refugee arrivals as well as
secondary immigration from other states. There is no available data for Somali immigrants in
the US on HBV and HCV prevalence, HBV and HCV genotypes/subgenotypes, and genetic and
immunologic risk factors predisposing Somalis to HBV and HCV and the subsequent development
of HCC. Therefore. this study will fill these gaps in the Somali population to understand the
relative importance of HBV and HCV infections in causation of HCC.
Besides Somalis, Minnesota is also home to large other African immigrant communities.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in 2013, the highest rates of chronic
HBV cases where reported among Asian or Pacific Islanders (3,638 cases per 100,000 persons)
followed by Black or African Americans (2,078 cases per 100,000 persons). Additionally,
Minnesota receives a large number of new refugee's resettlement. It is important to improve
the identification of chronic HBV and HCV infections among Somali refugees and immigrants in
Minnesota through well-designed community-wide screening efforts. Since we know that African
immigration to Minnesota is the third highest in the US, this unique population might be a
contributing factor to the increased burden of hepatitis and liver cancer complications in
the state of Minnesota. Findings from HBV and HCV screening among Somalis suggest that other
immigrant African populations from high viral hepatitis endemic regions, such Ethiopia,
Liberia, and Kenya, are also at substantial risk of HBV, HCV and HCC. Unfortunately, very
little research has been conducted in the US on the burden of hepatitis and liver cancer in
African Immigrants from areas of high endemicity of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Therefore,
the goal of is to identify HBV and HCV and the role viral genetics and immune response among
African immigrant communities from Kenya, Liberia, and Ethiopia.
(US) is relatively low. However, immigrant populations in the US from Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa have substantially higher prevalence than the general population and are consequently
at a significant risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, the age-adjusted incidence
rates for HCC in the US have tripled from 1975 to 2005. As the population demographics have
changed, the 2000 US census estimated the number of Somalis in Minnesota at 25,000 but
current estimates put the number at around 50,000 due to primary refugee arrivals as well as
secondary immigration from other states. There is no available data for Somali immigrants in
the US on HBV and HCV prevalence, HBV and HCV genotypes/subgenotypes, and genetic and
immunologic risk factors predisposing Somalis to HBV and HCV and the subsequent development
of HCC. Therefore. this study will fill these gaps in the Somali population to understand the
relative importance of HBV and HCV infections in causation of HCC.
Besides Somalis, Minnesota is also home to large other African immigrant communities.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in 2013, the highest rates of chronic
HBV cases where reported among Asian or Pacific Islanders (3,638 cases per 100,000 persons)
followed by Black or African Americans (2,078 cases per 100,000 persons). Additionally,
Minnesota receives a large number of new refugee's resettlement. It is important to improve
the identification of chronic HBV and HCV infections among Somali refugees and immigrants in
Minnesota through well-designed community-wide screening efforts. Since we know that African
immigration to Minnesota is the third highest in the US, this unique population might be a
contributing factor to the increased burden of hepatitis and liver cancer complications in
the state of Minnesota. Findings from HBV and HCV screening among Somalis suggest that other
immigrant African populations from high viral hepatitis endemic regions, such Ethiopia,
Liberia, and Kenya, are also at substantial risk of HBV, HCV and HCC. Unfortunately, very
little research has been conducted in the US on the burden of hepatitis and liver cancer in
African Immigrants from areas of high endemicity of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Therefore,
the goal of is to identify HBV and HCV and the role viral genetics and immune response among
African immigrant communities from Kenya, Liberia, and Ethiopia.
Specific Aim 1: We will determine whether exposures to HBV and HCV infections in African
(Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and Ethiopians) and Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese,
Laotian, and Cambodian) are associated with a single HBV/HCV genotype or few specific
subtypes. In the following Sub-Aims we will:
- confirm the viral status of study subjects using serological and DNA tests including
HBsAg, HBcAb, anti-HCV, HBV DNA and HCV RNA.
- perform nucleic acid testing to identify the HBV and HCV genotypes/sub-genotypes for
each patient
- examine the presence of either common or unique HBV and HCV viral mutations
Specific Aim 2: We will determine whether African (Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and
Ethiopians) and Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian) exposed to HBV or
HCV have unique TLR or Treg immune signatures as compared to control subjects free from both
HBV and HCV infections. In the following Sub-Aims we will:
- measure the expression levels of toll-like receptors (in monocytes) of the host innate
immune response to assess whether the expression of TLR differs between those exposed to
HBV vs HCV
- measure the circulating Tregs of the host adaptive immune response to determine whether
the abundance of Treg differs between those exposed to HBV vs HCV Specific Aim 3: To
determine whether genetic variation of IL28B (assessed by single nucleotide
polymorphisms, rs12979860 and others) is associated with HCV treatment outcome in
Somalis.
- We will perform SNP analysis of IL28B in lymphocyte DNA in 60 HCV cases, 60 HBV and HCV
cases and 60 healthy controls (this group and additional 60 HBV cases alone will provide
baseline SNP frequencies in the Somali population), all the 240 subjects of the study
will be tested for this SNP
- We will measure treatment outcome using virological response by comparing pre-treatment
viral load and post-treatment viral load in HCV case
Aim 4: To recruit a cohort of African (Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and Ethiopians) and
Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian)immigrants for screening for
chronic HBV infection and education on prevention and treatment of hepatitis B. We will
specifically:
- Establish a community-based program to recruit African and Southeast Asian individuals
in Minnesota for screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Establish partnerships with African and Southeast Asian community organizations and
physicians to enhance screening and education about prevention and treatment of
hepatitis B, hepatitis C and its sequelae, including HCC.
(Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and Ethiopians) and Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese,
Laotian, and Cambodian) are associated with a single HBV/HCV genotype or few specific
subtypes. In the following Sub-Aims we will:
- confirm the viral status of study subjects using serological and DNA tests including
HBsAg, HBcAb, anti-HCV, HBV DNA and HCV RNA.
- perform nucleic acid testing to identify the HBV and HCV genotypes/sub-genotypes for
each patient
- examine the presence of either common or unique HBV and HCV viral mutations
Specific Aim 2: We will determine whether African (Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and
Ethiopians) and Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian) exposed to HBV or
HCV have unique TLR or Treg immune signatures as compared to control subjects free from both
HBV and HCV infections. In the following Sub-Aims we will:
- measure the expression levels of toll-like receptors (in monocytes) of the host innate
immune response to assess whether the expression of TLR differs between those exposed to
HBV vs HCV
- measure the circulating Tregs of the host adaptive immune response to determine whether
the abundance of Treg differs between those exposed to HBV vs HCV Specific Aim 3: To
determine whether genetic variation of IL28B (assessed by single nucleotide
polymorphisms, rs12979860 and others) is associated with HCV treatment outcome in
Somalis.
- We will perform SNP analysis of IL28B in lymphocyte DNA in 60 HCV cases, 60 HBV and HCV
cases and 60 healthy controls (this group and additional 60 HBV cases alone will provide
baseline SNP frequencies in the Somali population), all the 240 subjects of the study
will be tested for this SNP
- We will measure treatment outcome using virological response by comparing pre-treatment
viral load and post-treatment viral load in HCV case
Aim 4: To recruit a cohort of African (Somalis, Kenyans, Liberians, and Ethiopians) and
Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian)immigrants for screening for
chronic HBV infection and education on prevention and treatment of hepatitis B. We will
specifically:
- Establish a community-based program to recruit African and Southeast Asian individuals
in Minnesota for screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Establish partnerships with African and Southeast Asian community organizations and
physicians to enhance screening and education about prevention and treatment of
hepatitis B, hepatitis C and its sequelae, including HCC.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- African descent
- Southeast Asian descent
Exclusion Criteria:
- 17 years or younger
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