Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study (JPHC Study Cohort II)

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association between HBV and HCV and the risk of pancreatic cancer among Japanese adults. Methods: 20,360 subjects of the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study Cohort II with available data on HBV and HCV infection status from blood samples were followed up until the end of 2010 for an average of 16 years. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results: During 324,394 person-years, 116 newly diagnosed cases of pancreatic cancer were identified. Compared to individuals without a positive infection marker, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios were 1.22 (95% CI, 0.81-1.84) for anti-HBc and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.28-1.69) for anti-HCV. There were no pancreatic cancer cases among HBsAg positive participants. Conclusion: In the JPHC Study we did not observe a statistically significant association between Hepatitis B or C and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Impact: Our results do not support an association between Hepatitis B or C and the risk of pancreatic cancer.