Abstract
BackgroundInterleukin-4 (IL-4), a pleiotropic anti-inflammatory cytokine, is produced mainly by activated T helper 2 (Th2). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-related cancer. Alterations influencing IL-4 expression may disturb immune response and may be associated with HCC risk. We aimed to verify role of IL4 gene polymorphism (IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250)) in HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism was examined in 50 patients with HCC on top of HCV, 40 patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 30 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism method.ResultsOverall IL-4 gene polymorphism (IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250)) showed significant difference between hepatocellular carcinoma group versus liver cirrhosis and healthy control groups. TT homozygous genotype was more prevalent in HCC group (24%) versus (5%) in liver cirrhosis and (3.3%) in control. TT homozygous genotype had 10 times more risk of hepatocellular carcinoma versus healthy control group and 6.33 times more risk versus cirrhotic patients group (p value = 0.018 and 0.016 respectively).ConclusionIL-4-589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism, TT homozygous genetic model, may be a risk factor in HCV-related HCC in Egyptian patients.
Highlights
Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a pleiotropic anti-inflammatory cytokine, is produced mainly by activated T helper 2 (Th2)
Routine investigations Sera were subjected to routine laboratory study including liver and renal function tests performed on Micro lab 300 auto analyzer using Diamond Kits (Germany) for measuring urea, total, and direct bilirubin; Human Kits (Germany) for measuring Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine and spinreact kits (Spain) for measuring albumin according to manufacturer’s instructions
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), anti-hepatitis C antibodies (HCV Abs), and serum alpha fetoprotein were detected by Cobas e411 immunoassay analyzer (Roche diagnostics-Mannhein, Germany)
Summary
Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a pleiotropic anti-inflammatory cytokine, is produced mainly by activated T helper 2 (Th2). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-related cancer. Alterations influencing IL-4 expression may disturb immune response and may be associated with HCC risk. We aimed to verify role of IL4 gene polymorphism (IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250)) in HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism was examined in 50 patients with HCC on top of HCV, 40 patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 30 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality. The increased incidence of HCC cases in Egypt is related to the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection [2]. HCC is diagnosed at late stages in most cases. This limits the treatment options especially it is refractory to the available chemotherapeutic drugs. Current available therapies are effective only to small group of patients [3]
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