Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in TGF-β1 and Their Association with HCC Development in HCV Patients

Authors

  • Almina Shafiq Department of Biomedical Lab Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Rabia Aslam Department of Biomedical Lab Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Atika Hashmi Department of Biomedical Lab Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Madiha Asghar Department of Biomedical Lab Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Kanza Batool Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Romeeza Tahir Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Nadeem Afzal Akhtar Saeed Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Shah Jahan Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/vv96gh29

Keywords:

TGF-β1, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Hepatitis C Virus, Gene Polymorphism, Pakistan, Tumor Markers

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection serving as a principal risk factor. Genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes such as transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) may modulate susceptibility to HCC by influencing the hepatic microenvironment and carcinogenic progression. Objective: To investigate the association between the TGF-β1 -509 C/T promoter polymorphism and the risk of HCC among chronic HCV patients in a Pakistani population. Methods: This comparative study enrolled 80 adult patients from Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, including 40 with chronic HCV infection without HCC and 40 with HCC secondary to chronic HCV. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples and genotyped for TGF-β1 -509 C/T using PCR-RFLP. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and genotype distributions were compared between groups. Statistical analyses included chi-square testing, odds ratio calculation, and logistic regression to assess associations and control for confounders. Results: The TT genotype and T allele of TGF-β1 -509 were more frequent in HCC patients compared to those with HCV alone. The TT genotype was associated with an increased, but not statistically significant, risk of HCC (OR 2.51; 95% CI 0.79–8.03; p=0.120). Clinical parameters such as tumor size and serum AFP were higher in TT and CT carriers, suggesting a trend toward more aggressive disease. Conclusion: While the TGF-β1 -509 TT genotype and T allele showed higher prevalence and risk estimates in HCC patients with chronic HCV, statistical significance was not reached. These findings suggest a possible genetic contribution to HCC susceptibility in this population, meriting further investigation in larger cohorts.

 

Downloads

Published

2025-07-02

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

1.
Almina Shafiq, Rabia Aslam, Atika Hashmi, Madiha Asghar, Kanza Batool, Romeeza Tahir, et al. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in TGF-β1 and Their Association with HCC Development in HCV Patients. JHWCR [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 2 [cited 2025 Jul. 4];:e439. Available from: https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/439