Study of Apa-I vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to study vita min D receptor (VDR) Apa-I gene polymorphism in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) infected with chronic hepatitis C. Background HCC is a global problem. In Egypt, it is one of the major health problems facing the health authorities. Several major risk factors of HCC have been identified, including chronic infection of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Nevertheless, only a fraction of infected patients develop HCC during their lifetime suggesting that genetic factors might modulate HCC development. Consequently, identification of additional genetic factors affecting transcription of specific regulatory genes could help to select high-risk populations. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 120 patients between February 2015 and February 2016: 40 patients with HCC and 40 patients with liver cirrhosis without any radiological evidence of HCC, who presented to the Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, along with 40 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Vitamin D receptor Apa-I gene polymorphism was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results Our study revealed significant statistical difference between patients with HCC and those with liver cirrhosis also between patients with HCC and control group regarding VDR gene Apa-I polymorphism. In HCC group, there was also significant statistical difference between the studied Apa-I VDR genotypes and α-fetoprotein, tumor size, and serum albumin. Conclusion VDR Apa-I gene polymorphism could be associated with increased risk of HCC development in chronic hepatitis C virus-infected patients.