[Correlation between polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen-DQB1 alleles and hepatitis B with primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective To investigate the correlation between polymorphisms in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1 and primary liver cancer (PLC) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to search for susceptibility and resistance genes related to PLC with HBV. Methods One hundred and eighteen patients with HBV-related liver cancer were enrolled from the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Patients were stratified by family history of hepatitis B (39 with; 79 without) and HBV DNA positivity (60 positive, ≥1×103 IU/mL; 58 negative, < 1×103 IU/mL). The HLA-DQB1 genotype was determined by PCR and direct nucleotide sequence analysis genotyping. Allele frequencies were calculated by the direct counting method. Between-group comparisons were carried out with the Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results The allele frequencies of HLA-DQB1*0202 and HLA-DQB1*0301 were significantly higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than the control group (11.8% and 29.3% vs. 7.6% and 21.1%; U = 2.43 and 3.09, P < 0.05, RR = 1.581 and 1.477). The allele frequencies of HLA-DQB1*0202 and HLA-DQB1*0301 were significantly higher in patients with HCC and familial history of hepatitis B than in the normal population (14.1% and 29.5% vs. 7.6% and 21.1%; U = 3.76 and 3.16, P < 0.05, RR = 1.928 and 1.495). The allele frequency of HLA-DQB1*0301 was significantly higher in the HBV DNA positive group than in the HBV DNA negative group (35.0% vs. 23.3%; χ2 = 5.543, P < 0.05, RR=1.775), while the frequency of HLA-DQB1*0302 was significantly lower in the HBV DNA positive group than in the HBV DNA negative group (10.9% vs. 14.7%; χ2 = 4.604, P < 0.05, RR = 0.229). Conclusion The HLA-DQB1*0202 and HLA-DQB1*0301 alleles may represent susceptibility for PLC with hepatitis B as well as for familial hepatitis B liver cancer. The HLA-DQB1*0301 allele may support replication of HBV DNA, facilitating progression to liver cancer. The HLA-DQB1*0302 allele may inhibit replication of HBV DNA and reduce the incidence of liver cancer. Key words: Hepatitis B; Liver neoplasms; HLA antigens