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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2008; 14(5): 713-719
Published online Feb 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.713
Chemokine system polymorphisms, survival and hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis
Pierre Nahon, Angela Sutton, Pierre Rufat, Chantal Simon, Jean-Claude Trinchet, Liliane Gattegno, Michel Beaugrand, Nathalie Charnaux
Pierre Nahon, Jean-Claude Trinchet, Michel Beaugrand, Department of Hepatology, Jean Verdier Hospital (AP-HP), Bondy 93140, France
Angela Sutton, Chantal Simon, Liliane Gattegno, Nathalie Charnaux, Department of Biochemistry, Jean Verdier Hospital (AP-HP), Bondy 93140, France
Pierre Rufat, Department of Public Health, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital (AP-HP), Paris 75013, France
Author contributions: Nahon P wrote the paper and organized the figures and patient data, Sutton A and Simon C did DNA genotyping and ELISA assays; the statistical data were carried out by Rufat P; Gattegno L, Trinchet JC and Beaugrand M helped write, organize, and correct the paper, Charnaux N supervised the writing and organization process
Correspondence to: Pierre Nahon, Department of Hepatology, Jean Verdier Hospital (AP-HP), Service d'Hépatologie Hospital Jean Verdier Avenue du 14 Juillet, Bondy 93140, France. pierre.nahon@jvr.aphp.fr
Telephone: +33-1-48026280
Fax: +33-1-48026202
Received: October 7, 2007
Revised: December 14, 2007
Published online: February 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To explore the influence of polymorphisms in genes encoding for the chemokines Stromal cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCL12 and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL2, or for the chemokine receptor CCR5 on the risks of liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.

METHODS: SDF-1 3’A, MCP-1 (-2518) and CCR5-Δ32 polymorphisms, SDF-1α, Regulated upon Activation Normal T cells Expressed and Secreted (RANTES)/CCL5 and MCP-1 serum levels were determined in 120 HCV-infected patients, included at time of cirrhosis diagnosis and prospectively followed-up.

RESULTS: During follow-up, 23/120 (19.1%) patients died and 47/120 (39.1%) developed HCC. Carriers and noncarriers of each genetic marker had similar baseline characteristics estimating the severity of liver disease. The occurrence of death or HCC during follow-up was similar among carriers and noncarriers of each polymorphism. There was no association between the carriage of mutated alleles and chemokine serum levels and the latter were not associated with the risks of death or HCC.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests the lack of association of SDF-1 3’A, MCP-1 (-2518), CCR5-Δ32 polymorphisms with death and HCC occurrence in cirrhotic HCV-infected patients.

Keywords: Chemokine; Polymorphism; Cirrhosis; Hepatocarcinoma; Hepatitis C virus