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Page 4 of 12 Fung et al. Hepatoma Res 2018;4:62 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2018.92

Table 1. Patient characteristics
Parameter Value
Total 112
Age (years) 55 (30-67)
Gender
Males 97 (86.6%)
Females 15 (13.2%)
Follow-up length (months) 80.5 (2-145)
Type of transplant
Living donor 80 (71.4%)
Deceased donor 32 (28.6%)
Tumour characteristics
Tumour size (cm) 3 (1-8)
Tumour number 1 (1-15)
Alpha-fetoprotein (ng/mL) 18 (1-33858)
Viral parameters
Hepatitis B e-antigen positive 35 (31.3%)
HBV DNA (log IU/mL) 2.52 (1.54-9.75)
HBV DNA undetectability 44 (39.3%)
Hepatitis B surface antigen (IU/mL) 70.88 (0.0009-75.91)
Antiviral therapy at transplantation
Lamivudine 51 (45.5%)
Entecavir 46 (41.1%)
Lamivudine + adefovir 10 (8.9%)
Lamivudine + tenofovir 4 (3.6%)
Entecavir + adefovir 1 (0.9%)
Continuous variables expressed as median vales (range)

recognized mouse and rabbit immunoglobulins. Hydrogen peroxidase was applied to remove endogenous
peroxidase activity. The polymer complex was then visualized with an appropriate diaminobenzidine (DAB)
chromogen. The sections were counterstained with hematoxylin. Appropriate positive and negative controls
were used.

Informed consent was obtained from all patients for collection and storage of clinical specimens for use in the
current project, and approved by the Ethics Committee Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong
Kong/Hospital Authority Hong Kong Western Cluster (UW 05-359 T/1022).

Statistical analysis
All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 17.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Categorical
variables were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, and Fisher’s exact test when appropriate. Mann-Whitney
test was used to analyze continuous variables with skewed distribution, and Kruskal-Wallis test used for
continuous variables with more than 2 categories. Bivariate correlation for continuous variables was performed
using the Pearson test. The cumulative incidences of HCC recurrences and survivals were analyzed using the
Kaplan-Meier method, with log-rank testing for comparison. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.

RESULTS
A total of 114 consecutive patients were transplanted for HBV-related HCC from June 2003 to December 2010.
Of the 114 patients, 2 patients did not have HBsAg determined after transplantation due to early mortality
from cardiac arrest, leaving 112 in the final analysis. The median follow-up was 80.5 months (range, 2 to 145),
with a median age of 55 years (range 30-67) and a male predominance (86.6%). Of the 112 patients, 80 (71.4%)
and 32 (28.6%) underwent living-related and deceased-donor LT respectively. The patient characteristics,
tumour characteristics, and the types of antiviral regimen used at the time of transplantation are summarized
in Table 1. The tumour size and number were based on explant histology. At the time of transplant, 31.3%
were Hepatitis Be Antigen (HBeAg) positive and the median HBV DNA and HBsAg level was 2.52 log IU/mL
and 70.88 IU/mL respectively. There was no correlation between pre-transplant HBsAg levels and HBV DNA