Significance of Hereditary Hemochromatosis Gene (HFE) Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Egypt: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nHereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease defined by enhanced overloading of iron and associated with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). This study aims to evaluate the correlation of the HFE gene mutations on Egyptian CHC with liver disease progression and the risk of HCC development.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D) were genotyped on 100 CHC patients and 50 healthy individuals by a hybridization assay. The serum iron content was also measured for all subjects.\n\n\nRESULTS\nA significant elevation of the serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC in HCV-infected patients (p≤0.05). The H63D mutation was detected in 23% of the all studied samples. The serum iron and the H63D heterozygosity were correlated significantly between non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic without HCC patients.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe H63D heterozygosity might have a potential role in iron accumulation. Moreover, HFE mutations did not tend to be associated with an increased risk of HCC in cirrhotic patients.