title: Genetic polymorphisms of epidermal growth factor in relation to risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: two case-control studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Earlier, we reported a highly statistically significant association between T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine genotypes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk among natives of southern Guangxi, China, a hyperendemic region for HCC. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a critical role in malignant transformation of hepatocytes and tumor progression. A polymorphism in the EGF gene (61A > G) results in elevation of EGF in liver tissues and blood. Epidemiological data are sparse on the possible association between EGF genetic polymorphism and HCC risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EGF 61A > G polymorphism, multiple Th1 and Th2 genotypes, and environmental risk factors for HCC were determined on 117 HCC cases and 225 healthy control subjects among non-Asians of Los Angeles County, California, a low-risk population for HCC, and 250 HCC cases and 245 controls of southern Guangxi, China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following adjustment for all known or suspected HCC risk factors, non-Asians in Los Angeles who possessed at least one copy of the high activity 61*G allele of the EGF gene showed a statistically non-significant, 78% increased risk of HCC compared with those possessing the EGF A/A genotype. This EGF-HCC risk association significantly strengthened among heavy users of alcohol [odds ratio (OR) = 3.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-12.76, P = 0.065)], and among individuals carrying the high-risk Th1/Th2 genotypes for HCC (OR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.24-9.03, P = 0.017). No association between EGF genotype and HCC risk was observed among Chinese in southern Guangxi, China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic polymorphism in the EGF gene resulting in elevated level of EGF, may contribute to HCC risk among low-risk non-Asians in Los Angeles.
authors: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 4C, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. yuanj@upmc.edu
authors: Jian-Min
authors: JM
authors: Yuan
authors: Yunhua
authors: Y
authors: Fan
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Ognjanovic
authors: Renwei
authors: R
authors: Wang
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Van Den Berg
authors: Sugantha
authors: S
authors: Govindarajan
authors: Mimi C
authors: MC
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics*; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D018417:Th1 Cells; D018418:Th2 Cells
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor