{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Hepatitis D is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. However, the clinical, virological, and systemic inflammatory characteristics of HDV-associated HCC remain insufficiently characterized.Methods\n\nIn this single-center retrospective study, we identified 162 patients with HCC due to chronic hepatitis D (HDV-HCC; n=54) or chronic hepatitis B (HBV-HCC; n=108). Plasma levels of 92 soluble inflammatory mediators (SIMs) were quantified using proximity extension assay in HCC patients [HBV-HCC (n=50), HDV-HCC (n=30), and matched non-HCC controls (HBV=19, HDV=17)].Results\n\nAt the time of HCC diagnosis, patients with CHD were younger, had more impaired liver synthesis and detoxification function, and lower levels of AST, CRP, and leukocytes. HDV-HCCs presented with smaller tumors, less frequent portal vein infiltration, and more often fulfilled Milan criteria (all p<0.01). Systemic immune profiling revealed distinct inflammatory patterns between both etiologies. Compared with HBV-HCC, HDV-HCC was characterized by a comparatively stronger IL-10-associated immunoregulatory signature, whereas HBV-HCC exhibited a more pronounced pro-inflammatory profile involving IL-6- and phosphorylation- and proliferation-associated signaling. Despite these differences, event-free survival did not differ between groups.Conclusions\n\nHBV-HCC more frequently presented with advanced tumor stage, whereas HDV-HCC was associated with more severe underlying liver disease but smaller tumors. Importantly, HBV-associated and HDV-associated HCC exhibit distinct systemic inflammatory signatures, potentially reflecting differences in systemic immune regulation between etiologies. These findings may have implications for biomarker development and future etiology-specific therapeutic strategies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.",
    "German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany.",
    "Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.",
    "Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.",
    "D-SOLVE, EU-funded Network on individualized management of hepatitis D, Hannover, Germany."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Simon Glimmann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Katja Deterding"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Kilian Bock"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Birgit Bremer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Anke R M Kraft"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Markus Cornberg"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2,
        4
      ],
      "name": "Heiner Wedemeyer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bernd Heinrich"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Anika Wranke"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m8y0nsw0n9ax.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1097/hc9.0000000000001060",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13682802",
  "id": "1m8y0nsw0n9ax",
  "issns": [
    "2471-254X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42900159",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Hepatitis B Virus Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223108471",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13682802?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13682802",
  "pmid": "42900159",
  "published": "2026-10-19",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m8y0nsw0n9ax.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:33Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42900159",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42900159"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|Hepatitis B Virus Studies",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Distinct immune signatures define hepatitis D- versus hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.",
  "title_text": "Distinct immune signatures define hepatitis D- versus hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:33Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m8y0nsw0n9ax",
  "venue": "Hepatology communications",
  "versions": []
}