Influence of genetic and biochemical variants for vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha-Fetoprotein in hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most aggressive type of liver cancer. Risk factors for HCC include a hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B virus (HBV), alcoholism, primary biliary cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, prolonged exposure to aflatoxin, inherited metabolic diseases, and also genetic alterations which can affect several cellular pathways. In this context, one can point out the genetic polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and elevated serum VEGF and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Objectives - Evaluate the influence of the C936T polymorphism of the VEGF on HCC, cirrhosis and HCV; evaluate the relation between serum VEGF and AFP in evaluated groups; analyze the correlation among serum VEGF and AFP levels and polymorphism of the VEGF. Methods - 200 individuals will be selected, regardless of gender, ethnicity, and age, and distributed into four groups. Group 1 - 50 individuals diagnosed with HCC; Group 2 - 50 individuals diagnosed with cirrhosis of any etiology; Group 3 - 50 individuals diagnosed with HCV; Group 4 - 50 individuals, the control group, without clinical and biochemical signs of HCC. The VEGF variants will be analyzed by PCR / RFLP (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism). The biochemical determinations for VEGF and AFP will be performed by the method of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and by ELISA. The statistical analysis will include the Fisher exact test, T-test, and the multivariate regression, with a significance level P <0.05. (AU)