The Association between Micro-RNA Gene Polymorphisms and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Patients

Abstract

IntroductionThe development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistage process involving the deregulation of genes that are crucial to cellular processes. Multiple risk factors are correlated with HCC. MicroRNA is differentially expressed in development of different types of malignancies, including hepatic malignancy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common sequence variation in human genome. SNPs in miRNAs may affect transcription, processing or target recognition and result in malignant diseases. Aim: To determine the association between micro-RNA gene polymorphisms and development of HCC in Egyptian Patients.Material and methodsThis study included 200 individual who were matched in age and sex. Tumor staging was done using BCLC staging system. Quantification and genotyping of Micro-RNA were performed.ResultsAmong the 200 patients, 2 groups were described: group I included 90 HCC patients with a male majority (72.2%) and 110 controls in group II. Diabetes and hypertension were detected as risk factors. Three microRNA SNPs were assayed. There was a significant association between rs10061133 miR-499b and the risk of HCC. The genotypes GG or G allele were associated significantly to an increased risk of HCC (GG: OR (95% CI) = 2.91 (1.23-4.22), p = 0.013; G allele: OR (95% CI) = 1.79 (1.12- 2.15), p = 0.026) compared with the genotype of AA or AG or A allele.ConclusionsThere is an association between the mi-RNA SNPs and the susceptibility to HCC, aiming to explore some roles and mechanisms of SNPs within miRNAs in the occurrence and development of HCC.