Polymorphism of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Chinese population

We conducted a case-control study in China to clarify the association between the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism and HCC risk.A total of 202 cases and 236 controls were selected from the the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from May 2008 to May 2010. Assessment of the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism was based upon duplex polymerase-chain-reactions with the confronting-two-pair primer (PCR- CTPP) method. All analyses were performed using the STATA statistical package.A significant increase in risk was associated with the Arg/Gln genotype (adjusted OR 1.55, 95%CI=1.03-2.57) compared with Arg/ Arg. However, the Gln/Gln genotype had non-significant increased risk of HCC with adjusted OR (95%CI) of 1.34(0.67-2.38). There was also a significant increase with the Arg/Gln genotype among HCC patients above 50 years old (OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.14-3.57). Additionally, the risk of HCC was moderately increased in drinkers with Arg/Gln genotype compared with never drinkers, and the adjusted OR (95% CI) was 1.89 (1.13-3.45).This study demonstrated that a polymorphism in a DNA repair gene may influence the risk of HCC. The XRCC1 codon Arg/Gln was this associated with an increased risk of HCC, especially in patients above 50 years old and/or with a drinking habit.