ESR2 polymorphism associated with the incidence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To investigate the role of ESR2 polymorphism in incidence and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The DNA from patients with HCC and hepatitis type B virus carriers was used to observe the distribution of ESR2 variations and carry out the clinical correlation analysis. Results: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ESR2 gene (rs1256049, rs4986938) were significantly correlated with HCC risk. Individuals carrying AA/GA genotype of rs1256049 were associated with lower HCC risk when compared with GG genotype (OR 0.399; 95% CI 0.256-0.621; P<0.001). The opposite result was found in individuals with the rs4986938 AA/GA genotype (OR 2.154; 95% CI 1.370-3.385; P=0.001). The LL genotype (frequency n=20) of CA repeat allele was associated with moderate-well differentiated degree (p=0.001) and early stage of HCC (p=0.001), and mean OS time was 46.2 (95% CI: 39.3-53.1) months for patients with LL genotype and 29.4 (95% CI: 24.3-34.5) months for patients with SS (frequency n>20) genotype (P=0.005). Conclusions: Findings indicated SNPs in ESR2 gene (rs1256049, rs4986938) play a different role in HCC risk and SS genotype lead to poor prognosis of HCC patients underwent hepatectomy. It provided a potential reference for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.