Primary prevention
Prevention of HBV infection – the primary cause of liver cancer – has been possible since the introduction of the HBV vaccine in 1982.
“By the end of 2017, 187 countries had introduced the HBV vaccine into their national immunization schedules, with global coverage with 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine ... estimated at 84%,” the authors point out.
This has “dramatically” reduced both the prevalence of HBV infection and the incidence of liver cancer caused by it among younger people in high-risk countries, they comment.
The investigators also observed a significant decrease in the incidence of liver cancer caused by HBV infection in people aged 30 to 59 years, although the decline was smaller than it was for those younger than 30.
Moreover, HCV infection has emerged as a concerning cause of liver cancer among those who used to be at low risk for HCV infection.
Although there is optimism that global control of HCV infection can be achieved through direct-acting antiviral agents, “the high cost, drug resistance, and reinfection rates are still major obstacles to fulfilling this ambitious goal,” Chen and colleagues point out.
The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
This article first appeared on Medscape.com.