Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus carriers.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), contributing to cancer development through direct genomic integration and chronic inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant properties, is widely utilized in cancer prevention. However, clinical evidence regarding its protective effect against HCC in HBV carriers remains sparse. In this retrospective cohort study spanning 2008 to 2018, we utilized Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to include 1,061,174 chronic HBV carriers. Participants were stratified into NAC users and non-users using Propensity Score Matching. We assessed the incidence of HCC in both cohorts, examining the relationship between NAC usage duration and HCC incidence, and evaluating

SUBMITTER: Wu SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11301295 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature