Association between HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether the major HLA-G gene was associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Abnormal HLA-G expression is present in various diseases, such as renal cell carcinoma, asthma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODOLOGY

To investigate the possible association with susceptibility to HCC, 181 chronic hepatitis patients and 180 HCC patients were enrolled in this study. The HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is located in the 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene and was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. For analysis of genetic data, SNPStats and SPSS 18.0 were used. Logistic regression models were performed to determine the odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and p value.

RESULTS

Allele and genotype frequencies of the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the hepatitis group had a similar pattern, as compared to those in the HCC group. Furthermore, no differences were observed between patients with and without liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism may not be associated with HCC susceptibility and liver cirrhosis development in the Korean population.