Association of IFNL4 and IFITM3 Genetic Variants with Susceptibility to HCV-Related Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the possible association of IFITM3 rs12252 and IFNL4 rs12979860 genetic polymorphisms with cirrhosis and HCC in chronic HCV-infected patients.

METHODS

Genetic variations were assessed in this case-control study using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 1350 subjects: 450 healthy controls, 450 cirrhosis patients, and 450 patients with HCC.

RESULTS

The genotyping of the IFNL4 rs12979860 revealed a significantly higher frequency of the TT genotype in the cirrhotic group compared to healthy controls. Additionally, the proportions of the CT genotype and TT genotypes were significantly higher in the HCC patients than in the healthy controls. Regarding the IFITM3 rs12252, the frequency of the CC genotype was significantly higher in the cirrhotic group compared to healthy controls. The proportion of the CT and CC genotypes in the HCC group was significantly higher than in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the IFITM3 rs12252 and IFNL4 rs12979860 genetic polymorphisms are linked to the development of cirrhosis and HCC in patients chronically infected with HCV.