Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
HPA polymorphism has been associated with HCV presence and fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis C. However, it is unknown if there is an association between HPA-1 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HPA-1 polymorphism in the presence of HCC.
METHODS:
PCR-SSP was used to perform HPA genotyping on 76 HCV-infected patients.
RESULTS:
There was no association between patients with and without HCC. There was significant difference in HPA-1 genotypic frequency distribution between HCC and F1/F2 fibrosis degree.
CONCLUSIONS:
The HPA-1a/1b polymorphism appears to be more associated with liver damage progression than with HCC presence.
Keywords:
Hepatitis C virus; Human platelets antigens; Hepatocellular carcinoma