title: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 polymorphism is associated with liver cirrhosis in hepatocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) polymorphisms are positively correlated with tumor progression in numerous malignant tumors. However, the association between FGFR4 genetic variants and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been determined. In this study, we investigated the potential associations of FGFR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with HCC susceptibility and its clinicopathological characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four SNPs in FGFR4 (rs1966265, rs351855, rs2011077, and rs7708357) were analyzed among 884 participants, including 595 controls and 289 patients with HCC. The samples were further analyzed to clarify the associations between these gene polymorphisms and the risk of HCC, and the impact of these SNPs on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC. After adjusting for other covariants, HCC patients who carrying at least one A genotype (GA and AA) at rs351855 were observed to have a higher risk of liver cirrhosis compared with those carrying the wild-type genotype (GG) (OR: 2.113, 95% CI: 1.188-3.831). Moreover, the patients with at least one A genotype were particularly showed a high level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that genetic polymorphism in FGFR4 rs351855 may be associated with the risk of HCC coupled with liver cirrhosis and may markedly increase the AFP level in Taiwanese patients with HCC. In addition, this is the first study that evaluated the risk factors associated with FGFR4 polymorphism variants in Taiwanese patients with HCC.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Jen
authors: MJ
authors: Sheu
authors: Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Ju
authors: MJ
authors: Hsieh
authors: School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Whei-Ling
authors: WL
authors: Chiang
authors: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Shun-Fa
authors: SF
authors: Yang
authors: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Deptartment of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Hsiang-Lin
authors: HL
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Urology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Liang-Ming
authors: LM
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Chao-Bin
authors: CB
authors: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004247:DNA; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4