Nexus of Integrated Clinical Science (NICS)
This is the official journal for multidisciplinary clinical and health sciences and a leading platform that bridges multidisciplinary clinical science with evidence-based practice to advance healthcare quality, safety, and patient outcomes.

Association Between Hepatitis B Virus DNA Positivity and Breast Cancer: A PCR-Based Case-Control Study from Isfahan and Khuzestan Provinces, Iran

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors

Pegah Hosseinpouri 1
Faranak Hadi 2
Seyed Hesamaldin Hejazi 3

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/nics.2026.1.012
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been hypothesized to contribute to breast carcinogenesis through persistent or occult infection and indirect biological mechanisms, although current evidence remains inconclusive.

Materials and methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tissue specimens from 80 women with breast cancer and 20 normal breast tissue specimens used as controls were collected from pathology archives in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces, Iran. Samples were examined for the presence of HBV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16.0, and Cramer''s V was calculated to assess the strength of the association.

Result: HBV DNA was detected in 3 of the 80 breast cancer tissue samples (3.75%), whereas none of the 20 control samples tested positive. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between HBV DNA positivity and breast cancer (P = 0.081), with a Cramer''s V coefficient of 0.138.

Conclusion: HBV DNA was detected in only a small proportion of breast cancer tissue samples (3.75%) and was absent in all control specimens. These findings did not demonstrate a statistically significant association between HBV DNA positivity and breast cancer in women from Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces, Iran. Larger multicenter studies using complementary molecular and serological approaches are warranted to further clarify the potential role of HBV in breast carcinogenesis.

Implications for Patient Care: The absence of a significant association between HBV DNA positivity and breast cancer in this study does not support routine HBV DNA testing in breast tissue for breast cancer evaluation. Larger multicenter studies are needed before any changes to clinical practice can be recommended.

Graphical Abstract

Association Between Hepatitis B Virus DNA Positivity and Breast Cancer: A PCR-Based Case-Control Study from Isfahan and Khuzestan Provinces, Iran

Keywords

Breast neoplasms
Hepatitis B virus
HBV DNA
Polymerase chain reaction
Viral oncogenesis
Iran
Subjects
Nexus of Integrated Clinical Science (NICS)
Volume 1
Pages 1-12

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