title: VEGF Polymorphisms Related to Higher Serum Levels of Protein Identify Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary neoplasia of the liver. Major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include chronic liver diseases, carcinogenic agents, and genetic alterations as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) involved in angiogenesis process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association ofVEGF-A(C936T and A1154G) with HCC and cirrhosis, in addition to serum levels of VEGF, clinical profile, lifestyle habits, and comorbidities. A total of 346 individuals were studied: 102 with HCC (G1), 117 with cirrhosis (G2), and 127 controls (G3). Polymorphisms were analysed by PCR/RFLP and serum levels of VEGF by ELISA. Alpha error was set at 5%. The wild-type genotype of both polymorphisms prevailed (P> 0.05). In G1, 23% of the patients died, with no relation to genetic profile (P> 0.05). Increased VEGF level was observed in G1 and G3, related to the mutant allele ofVEGF-C936T andVEGF-A1154G, respectively, and compared with the wild-type genotype (P= 0.0285;P= 0.0284, resp.) as well as G1 versus G2 and G3 forVEGF-C936T and G1 versus G2 forVEGF-A1154G (P< 0.05 for both). In conclusion, there is a relationship between mutant alleles ofVEGF-C936T andVEGF-A1154G polymorphisms and higher VEGF level, making them potential markers for HCC.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Eduarda Lopes
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7115-710X
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Baitello
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Graciele Domitila
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3341-9193
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Tenani
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Fernandes
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4530-3008
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcela Augusta de Souza
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pinhel
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, HB University Medical Centre, FUNFARME/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita de Cássia Martins Alves
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6302-0939
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplantation Unit, HB University Medical Centre, FUNFARME/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, HB University Medical Centre, FUNFARME/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia da Silva
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fucuta
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moacir Fernandes
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8390-0933
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: de Godoy
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dorotéia Rossi Silva
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Souza