Study of Vitamin D Receptor FOK I Gene Polymorphism in Chronic Hepatitis C Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Case Control Study
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major public health problems worldwide. The genomic actions of vitamin D are mediated through its binding to the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) which allows it to modulate the expression of genes in a cell and tissue specific manner The VDR directly or indirectly regulates the expression of more than 200 genes that influence cell,differentiation and apoptosis, as well as immunomodulation and angiogenesis.The VDR gene polymorphisms have been identified that may influence cancer development including HCC .The aim of study to evaluate the possible association between VDR gene polymorphism with (HCC) in top of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients. This study aims to investigate the possible association of VDR gene polymorphism and HCC development in patients with chronic HCV infection.103 patients with HCC on top of chronic HCV infection, 44 non viral HCC. 100 Healthy volunteers as a control group. The control group subjects are sero negative and PCR negative for hepatitis C virus and HBs Ag antibodies were analyzed for serum 1,25(OH)2D3,liver functions were determined and VDR FOK1 gene polymorphism.Results revealed that individuals with F/F homozygote have a lower risk in HCC development ,while others with f allele have a higher risk (with OR =2.58) and we found that vitamin D level was significant lower in HCV related HCC cases than normal control.We concluded thatVDR genetic polymorphisms are significantly associated with the occurrence of HCV related HCC especially f allele carriers which could be considered as a risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. The FOKI C>T polymorphisms may be used as a molecular marker to predict the risk and to evaluate the disease severity of HCC in those infected with HCV.