Liver insulin-like growth factor 2 methylation in hepatitis C virus cirrhosis and further occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the predictive value of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) methylation profile for the occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C (HCV) cirrhosis.


METHODS
Patients with: (1) biopsy-proven compensated HCV cirrhosis; (2) available baseline frozen liver sample; (3) absence of detectable HCC; (4) regular screening for HCC; (5) informed consent for genetic analysis were studied. After DNA extraction from liver samples and bisulfite treatment, unbiased PCR and DHPLC analysis were performed for methylation analysis at the Igf2 locus. The predictive value of the Igf2 methylation profile for HCC was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods.


RESULTS
Among 94 included patients, 20 developed an HCC during follow-up (6.9 +/- 3.2 years). The methylation profile was hypomethylated, intermediate and hypermethylated in 13, 64 and 17 cases, respectively. In univariate analysis, two baseline parameters were associated with the occurrence of HCC: age (P = 0.01) and prothrombin (P = 0.04). The test of linear tendency between the three ordered levels of Igf2 methylation and probability of HCC occurrence was significant (Log Rank, P = 0.043; Breslow, P = 0.037; Tarone-Ware, P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that hypomethylation at the Igf2 locus in the liver could be predictive for HCC occurrence in HCV cirrhosis.
Couvert
Philippe
P
Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Jean Verdier Hospital, AP-HP, Bondy, France.
Carrié
Alain
A
Pariès
Jacques
J
Vaysse
Jenny
J
Miroglio
Audrey
A
Kerjean
Antoine
A
Nahon
Pierre
P
Chelly
Jamel
J
Trinchet
Jean-Claude
JC
Beaugrand
Michel
M
Ganne-Carrié
Nathalie
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D017931:DNA Primers; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C035170:IGF2 protein, human; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II