Interferon-γ +874A/T polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma risk: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Studies have evaluated the association between interferon-γ (IFN-γ) +874A/T polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk, but the results are controversial. We performed this meta-analysis to further investigate this association.


METHODS
Relevant studies were searched by using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted.


RESULTS
Seven case-control studies (859 HCC patients and 1482 healthy controls) were identified to assess the association between IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism and risk of HCC. IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of HCC (OR=1.38; 95% CI 1.12-1.70; P=0.002). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism was significantly associated with HCC risk in Asians (OR=1.42; 95% CI 1.08-1.87; P=0.01), but no significant association was found in Caucasians (OR=1.21; 95% CI 0.86-1.70; P=0.28). IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism also increased HBV-induced HCC risk (OR=1.42; 95% CI 1.08-1.87; P=0.01). In the subgroup analysis by control source, IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism was associated with HCC risk in hospital-based studies (OR=1.45; 95% CI 1.09-1.53; P=0.01). A marginal association was found in population-based studies (OR=1.33; 95% CI 0.97-1.83; P=0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis indicates that the IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism might contribute to HCC risk.
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Huan
H
Zhou
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Lizhou
L
Wang
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Xing
X
Li
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Jie
J
Song
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Tianpeng
T
Jiang
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Xiaoping
X
Wu
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (mainland).
Shi
S
Zhou
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
C573415:IFNG protein, human; D007371:Interferon-gamma