Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40487961›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of gastrointestinal oncology2025

Hepatitis B core-related antigen as a predictive biomarker for recurrence in primary hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Ling-Bo Liang, Hai-Jun Zhang, Feng Liu, Qiao-Li Su

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of gastrointestinal oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ling-Bo LiangGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Hai-Jun ZhangGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, West China Healthcare Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Feng LiuGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Qiao-Li SuGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. cuxf27@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, with high recurrence rates after treatment. Identifying reliable biomarkers for predicting recurrence is essential for improving patient outcomes. Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) has shown potential as a predictive marker for HCC recurrence.

aimTo evaluate the association between HBcrAg levels and the risk of HCC recurrence.

methodsA systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched without restrictions on date or language. Observational studies reporting hazard ratios (HRs) for HBcrAg as a predictor of HCC recurrence were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Statistical analyses used a random-effects model to account for heterogeneity (

resultsA total of 1339 articles were initially identified, and 17 studies were included in the final meta-analysis after screening. The pooled analysis showed a significant association between elevated HBcrAg levels and HCC recurrence (HR = 4.42, 95% confidence interval: 3.43-5.41) with substantial heterogeneity (

conclusionThis meta-analysis provides strong evidence that elevated HBcrAg levels are associated with an increased risk of HCC recurrence. HBcrAg may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting recurrence, aiding personalized management and surveillance strategies for HCC patients.

Indexed as

Hepatitis B core-related antigenHepatocellular carcinomaMeta-analysisPredictive biomarkerRecurrence

Identifiers

PMID40487961
PMCPMC12142257

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