Association between polymorphisms in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case–control study in an HCC epidemic area within the Han Chinese population

Data concerning the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an HBV-free population are currently limited. Therefore, we performed a case–control study to investigate the association between SNPs and the risk of HCC in individuals without chronic HBV infection. A total of 160 Han Chinese patients with HCC and an identical number of healthy controls were enrolled in this study. rs1042522, rs10814325, rs17401966, and rs2279744 genotypes were determined using matrix-associated laser desorption ionization–time of flight–mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS). CG and GG genotypes in rs1042522 and heterozygote and homozygote in rs2279744 were significantly associated with an elevated risk of HCC. Homozygous mutation of rs1081432 conferred a 2.68-fold risk of HCC (95 % CI 1.35–5.34); however heterozygosity was not statistically significant. rs17401966 heterozygosity or homozygosity was not significantly associated with a increased risk of HCC. Several polymorphisms associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC were identified. These may serve as biomarkers in evaluating HCC risk in the general population.