Relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and the interaction between NQO1 polymorphisms and environmental factors

Objective To study the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and the interaction of polymorphisms in the NAD（P）H：quinone oxidoreductase （NQO1） gene with environmental factors using a hospital-based case-control study. Methods Four-hnndred newly diagnosed HCC cases and 400 healthy individuals （non-tumor controls） were enrolled in the study. Demographic information and medical history was obtained by questionnaire. TaqMan minor groove binder real-time PCR was carded out to detect the NQO1 C609T genotype using blood-derived DNA from all study participants. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the odds ratios （ORs） and 95% confidence intervals （CIs）. Results The frequencies of NQO1 609 CC, CT and TT genotypes were 23.75%, 50.25% and 28.00% in the HCC group, and 37.55%, 43.75% and 18.25% in the control group. The differences between the HCC and control group reached statistical significance （all P 〈 0.05）. The ORs of NQO1 609 CT and TT genotypes were significantly higher compared to the CC genotype; the adjusted OR（95% CO of CT was 2.106（1.137-3.110） and of TT was 2.564（1.357-4.744）. Individuals carrying the NQO1 609 T allelic gene had a significantly higher risk of HCC than those carrying the C allelic gene; the adjusted OR（95% C/） was 1.86（1.235-2.980）. Interactions were found between hepatitis B virus infection with hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）-positivity and NQOI gene polymorphisms （adjusted OR： 2.431） and history of cancer （adjusted OR： 8.3592）. Conclusion The NQO1 C609T genotype is associated with increased risk of HCC. Interactions between HBsAg-positive infection, history of cancer, and NQO1 gene polymorphisms may contribute to HCC. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatoceUular;  Case-control study;  Polymorphisms, single nueleotides;  NQO 1;  Interactions