Aflatoxin contribution to liver cancer burden in Nigeria: A mini review

Abstract

The quality of stable food items consumed in Nigerian communities is bedevilled by high aflatoxin content. This mycotoxin is the nexus between hepatocellular carcinoma, poor food storage and agricultural practices. The proportion of histologically diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in liver biopsies, range from 20.3% to 33% in different parts of Nigeria. Aflatoxin B adducts in the liver cells promotes mutagenesis 1 by inducing mutation at the third position of codon 249 of p53 gene. Synergistic action between hepatitis B virus infection and aflatoxin in the pathogenesis of HCC is established. There is data gap on the direct contribution of aflatoxin to the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in Nigeria.

Key words: Liver, cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, aflatoxin, mycotoxins.