The Role of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Hepatocarcinogenesis

Sherief Abd-Elsalam

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Liver Cancer

Treatments: Other: The VDR genotype

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02461979

liver cancer

Details and patient eligibility

About

Previous data have suggested that vitamin D levels may influence cancer development. In particular, several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been described in the Vitamin D receptor( VDR gene), and some polymorphisms are associated with tumor occurrence. For instance, VDR polymorphisms have been related to cancers of the breast, prostate, skin, colon-rectum, bladder and kidney, although with conflicting observations . VDR polymorphisms have also been investigated in the context of some chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis B, primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis . In a recent published study, VDR polymorphism may be used as a molecular marker to predict the risk and to evaluate the disease severity of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

A significant association of VDR (ApaI) polymorphism with the development of HCC in chronic HCV infection may help to identify those who are at high risk of developing HCC.

Full description

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major public health problems worldwide . Chronic HCV infection is characterized by a high rate of progression to fibrosis, chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis and ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early detection is critically important because the most effective treatment for HCC is surgical resection or ablation therapy when the tumour is small. On the other hand, genetic factors can also contribute, particularly gene polymorphisms of inflammatory cytokines and growth factor ligands and receptors . Vitamin D is involved in the metabolism of skeleton as a systemic hormone but also has important roles in the regulation of host immune responses, fibrogenesis and development of cancer through vitamin D receptor (VDR). Previous data have suggested that vitamin D levels may influence cancer development. In particular, several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been described in the VDR gene, and some polymorphisms are associated with tumor occurrence. For instance, VDR polymorphisms have been related to cancers of the breast, prostate, skin, colon-rectum, bladder and kidney, although with conflicting observations. VDR polymorphisms have also been investigated in the context of some chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis B, primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis . In a recent published study, VDR polymorphism may be used as a molecular marker to predict the risk and to evaluate the disease severity of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

A significant association of VDR ApaI polymorphism with the development of HCC in chronic HCV infection may help to identify those who are at high risk of developing HCC.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Hcv cirrhotic patient with and without Hcc

Exclusion criteria

• Malignancy other than HCC
• Co-infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Cirrhosis is due to causes other than chronic hepatitis C

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 3 patient groups

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Other group

Description:

The VDR genotype in 20 HCV cirrhotic patient with HCC

Treatment:

Other: The VDR genotype

Liver cirrhosis

Other group

Description:

The VDR genotype in 20 HCV cirrhotic patient without HCC

Treatment:

Other: The VDR genotype

Control group

Other group

Description:

The The VDR genotype in 10 healthy individuals as control

Treatment:

Other: The VDR genotype