IGF2 polymorphisms are associated with hepatitis B virus clearance and hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to determine whether IGF2 polymorphisms are associated with the clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 1095 Korean subjects were prospectively enrolled in this case-control study. The rates of IGF2 polymorphisms were determined in each group. The IGF2 + 820G allele (IGF2 + 820G/G) and the IGF2 + 6815A/A genotype were strongly associated with the resolution of HBV infection (OR = 0.62–0.73; P = 0.001–0.03 and OR = 0.71; P = 0.03, respectively). Haplotype analysis showed that IGF2-haplotype5 (A-C-C-T-A-T-G) and IGF2-haplotype1 (T-C-T-T-A-C-A) were significantly associated with the clearance and persistence of HBV infection (OR = 0.55–0.58, P = 0.009–0.01 and OR = 1.31–1.65, P = 0.001–0.007, respectively). On the other hand, the IGF2 + 2482C/C or +820G/G genotypes were significantly associated with a higher risk of HCC (OR = 1.88, 1.68; P = 0.04). IGF2 polymorphisms were found to be strongly associated with the clearance of HBV or the occurrence of HCC in patients with chronic HBV infection.